George Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith

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Admiral George Keith Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith (1746–1823) was a British Royal Navy officer and a member of Parliament who served in many ships and fought in several wars, including the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars.

Early life
- Born in 1746 at Elphinstone Tower in Scotland. He was the fourth son of Charles Elphinstone, 10th Lord Elphinstone.
- He had brothers who joined the Army or the sea. George chose the Navy and began his career in 1761 on HMS Royal Sovereign, then moved to several other ships.

Sea service and battles
- He served on the North American Station and fought the French at Newfoundland, including the Battle of Signal Hill.
- He climbed ranks to lieutenant in 1770, commander in 1772, and post captain in 1775.
- During the American War of Independence, he helped against privateers and took part in the occupation of Charleston.
- In 1781 he commanded HMS Warwick and captured a Dutch 50-gun ship. In 1782 he led a squadron that captured the French frigate Aigle.
- After the war, he stayed in Parliament and became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1790.

Napoleonic era and high command
- With the start of new wars in 1793, he commanded HMS Robust and helped in the Toulon operations.
- Promoted to rear-admiral in 1794, he helped establish the Cape of Good Hope Station (1795) and captured a Dutch squadron at Saldanha Bay (1796).
- He reined in the Nore Mutiny in 1797 and later served under Admiral St Vincent.
- He fought at Genoa (1800) and helped transport troops to Egypt (1801).
- He was made Baron Keith of the United Kingdom in 1797 (an Irish barony had been given earlier in 1797).
- In 1803 he became Commander-in-Chief in the North Sea, later serving as Commander-in-Chief in the English Channel (1812) and eventually being raised to the rank of viscount in 1814.

Napoleon and later years
- He was in Plymouth when Napoleon surrendered to the British and helped convey orders to the fallen emperor.
- Keith died in 1823 at Tulliallan Castle in Scotland and was buried in the local church.

Family and legacy
- He married twice: first in 1787 to Jane Mercer, then in 1808 to Hester Maria Thrale. He had one daughter with each wife but no sons, so his viscountcy died with him.
- His eldest daughter and the family baronies passed to another daughter, but the titles eventually became extinct.
- Portraits of him exist in Greenwich and the National Maritime Museum. He was also known in Freemasonry and mentioned in some novels.

George Keith Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith, is remembered as a capable and steady leader who helped Britain win key battles and protect its seas during difficult times.