Benbow, John (1653–1702)

English admiral. He spent his entire life in active service; as a boy he ran away to sea, and from 1689 served in the navy. Hero of several battles with France, he fought at the battles of Beachy Head 1690 and La Hogue 1692.

In 1702 he attacked a French squadron off Jamaica and was wounded in the leg but remained on deck to continue the attack. He was defeated owing to lack of support from his captains, two of whom were later tried and shot for cowardice. He died of his wounds in Jamaica.