James Burney ( 1750 - 1821 )

Birth: 1750 Death: 17 November 1821 Profession: Sailor Career: Entered the Navy (1764); sailed with Captain Cook on his second voyage (1772-1774); Lieutenant (1773); sailed with Cook on his third voyage, commanding the 'Discovery' on voyage home after Cook's death; Commander (1780); Captain (1782); went to the East Indies, returned in poor health and did not serve again; wrote "A chronological history of the discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean", and "An essay on the game of whist" (1821); Rear-Admiral on the retired list Membership: Fellow Election Date: 8/06/1809.