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Byng, George, 1st Viscount Torrington 1663-1733
English naval commander

Born in Wrotham, Kent, he joined the navy at 15, and as a supporter of William of Orange (the future William III), gained rapid promotion. As rear admiral, he captured Gibraltar in 1704, and for his gallant conduct at Málaga was knighted by Queen Anne. In 1708 he commanded a squadron that frustrated a threatened landing in Scotland by the Old Pretender, James Francis Edward Stuart, and again in 1715. In 1718, as Admiral of the Fleet, he destroyed the Spanish fleet off Messina. In 1721 he was created Viscount Torrington.