George Anson, lord, an English admiral and navigator, born at Shugborough, Staffordshire, April 23, 1697, died June 6, 1762. He entered the navy when a boy, was made a post captain in 1724, and received the command of the Scarborough man-of-war. Between 1724 and 1735 most of his time was spent on the Carolina station, where he founded the town of Ansonburgh. In 1739 England declared war with Spain, and he was appointed to the command of a squadron which was to proceed to the South sea, and harass the Spanish trade and settlements in that quarter. The expedition, wretchedly equipped, heavily laden with private merchandise in spite of Anson's remonstrances, and some of the vessels unsea-worthy, sailed Sept. 18, 1740. He lost part of his fleet off Cape Horn, a great part of his men died of scurvy, and he finally crossed the Pacific ocean with only a single ship. In consequence of these disasters, the original object of the expedition was abandoned, but x\nson was enabled to explore the coasts and islands of the Pacific, and make important discoveries. Every coast and harbor he visited was carefully surveyed, and he made a large collection of Spanish charts and journals.

With his single vessel he took Payta, on the coast of Peru, and a number of ships, among them the Manila galleon, laden with treasure. Throughout the voyage he showed great courage, prudence, and fertility of resource, besides tender care of his sick men and humanity toward his prisoners. He returned home with his prizes in June, 1744, having eluded the French channel fleet during a fog, and was soon afterward made rear admiral of the white and a commissioner of the admiralty, in 1746 vice admiral of the blue, and in 1747 of the red. He commanded the channel fleet in 1746-7, and on May 3, 1747, captured off Cape Finisterre most of the French India fleet, consisting of nine ships, and carrying over 3,000 men and 420 guns. This achievement procured him a peerage as Lord Anson, baron of Soberton. He was first lord of the admiralty from 1751 to 1756, and again from 1757 till his death. In 1761 he was made admiral of the fleet, and soon afterward sailed from Harwich in the Charlotte yacht, to bring the future bride of George III. to England. Anson's "Voyage round the World," prepared by Benjamin Robins from materials furnished by the navigator (4to, London, 1748), passed through four editions the first year, and has been translated into many languages.

His title expired with him, but his name was assumed by his nephew and heir George Adams, whose son was created Viscount Anson, and his grandson earl of Lichfield.