King, Richard (1730-1806)

British admiral. He was in command of the landing party at the capture of Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Hooghly, India, 1756. In 1792 he was appointed governor and commander-in-chief of Newfoundland, Canada.

King was born in Gosport, Hampshire. He entered the navy 1738, and, after serving in the Mediterranean and East Indies, was promoted to lieutenant 1746. In 1787 he was promoted to rear admiral, was created a baronet 1792, and in 1795 was made admiral.

King, Richard (1825-1885)

US rancher. In 1852 he purchased 15,500 acres in southern Texas; by the end of his life he had expanded the property to include over 600,000 prime acres with 100,000 head of cattle. Although he was said to be ruthless and autocratic in acquiring and running the King Ranch, he was also known for his hospitality.

He was born in Orange County, New York. He left a jewelry apprenticeship and worked on steamboats for some 20 years. His heirs eventually expanded the King Ranch to some 1,000,000 acres (larger than the state of Rhode Island); the ranch was divided in 1935.