Grenville Sir Richard

Grenville, Sir Richard, English seaman, was born in 1540. In 1585 he led a successful expedition against Spanish commerce in the West Indies. In 1587-88 he belonged to the Council which was appointed to take measures against the threatened invasion by Spain, and in 1591 in the Revenge he took part in Lord Thomas Howard's expedition to the Azores. In the course of this a strong Spanish fleet was fallen in with, and Lord Thomas ordered his force to withdraw. The order was, however, disobeyed by Grenville, who threw himseif into the midst of the enemy, and, after performing prodigies of valour, was obliged to strike. He died two days later on board the Spanish flagship from the effects of his numerous wounds.