Carteret, Sir George (c. 1599–1680)

English Royalist politician, a supporter of Charles I and II during the period of parliamentarian rule. He was governor of Jersey 1643–51 and used his native island as a base for harrying parliamentarian ships. The growing maritime strength of parliament forced him into exile in France. At the Restoration he was appointed a Privy Councillor and was a close confidante of Charles II; he become a byword for self-enrichment through public office. He acquired substantial amounts of territory in the new colonies of North America, in particular Carolina 1663 and New Jersey, which he named after his birthplace, 1664.