serviceyears branch relations death_date birth_place allegiance image_size birth_date rank image article_title name
& nbsp ; -- 1788 kingdom of great britain simon -rrb- luttrell , 1st earl of carhampton -lrb- father 23 december 1788 1751 four oaks , warwickshire kingdom of great britain 300 1751 post-captain james luttrell.jpg james luttrell
 james luttrell
james luttrell

james luttrell -lrb- 1751 -- 23 december 1788 -rrb- was an officer in the royal navy who served during the american war of independence .
he also had a political career as a member of parliament .
born into a prominent political family , the younger son of an earl , james luttrell combined a career in politics with naval service , following in the footsteps of an elder brother .
he was promoted to lieutenant in 1770 , and entered parliament in 1775 .
from then on his careers were intertwined .
he served off the north american coast during the american war of independence , having some success against privateers and enemy shipping .
he used his parliamentary platform however to oppose the war against the americans , considering it unjust , but supported strong efforts against the american 's french and spanish allies .
his political connections ensured his rise through the ranks and he commanded several warships during his career .
luttrell won particular fame after an action he fought in late 1782 , when his ship engaged a powerful convoy of american and french ships and defeated it , capturing two of the vessels and taking them as prizes .
king george iii commented on his skill and bravery during the fight .
luttrell saw little active service afloat after the end of the american war of independence , but resumed his political career , voting mainly in the government interest .
he was appointed to the post of surveyor-general of the ordnance , holding it along with his parliamentary seat until his death at a relatively young age in 1788 .
