William Bligh ( 1754 - 1817 )

Birth: St Tudy, Cornwall, England Baptism: St Andrew's Church, Plymouth (04 October 1754) Death: Bond Street, London (07 December 1817) Burial: The eastern part of Lambeth churchyard, near the Tradescant tomb, by the side of his wife, Elizabeth Betham Career: Entered Royal Navy; Accompanied Captain Cook as sailing master in the Resolution on his 2nd voyage round the world (1772-1774) and discovered bread fruit in Otaheite; at the battle of Dogger Bank (05 August 1781); fought under Howe at Gilbralter (1782); appointed to the Bounty (1787) on an expedition to take bread fruit plants from Otaheite to West Indies; he and 18 of the crew were cast adrift after a mutiny, and reached Timor; Bligh finally returned to England (1790); Second expedition more successful and bread fruit brought to West Indies in HMS 'Providence'. Received gold medal from RSA.