BYNG, GEORGE, Viscount TORRINGTON, a British admiral, b. Jan. 27, 1663, eldest son of John Byng, csq., of Wrotham, Kent, entered the navy as a volunteer at the age of 15, and rapidly rose to the rank of lieut. In 1688, he recommended himself to the prince of Orange by his activity and zeal in attaching the officers of the fleet to the cause of the revolution, and was advanced to the rank of capt. In 1702, he took part in the capturing and burning of the Spanish fleet at Vigo, and in the following year was made rear-admiral of the red. The attack on Gibraltar was solely confided to his command, and for his gallant conduct at the battle of Malaga he was knighted by queen Anne. In 1708, he became admiral of the blue, and commanded a squadron fitted out to oppose an intended invasion of Scotland from France, on the part of the pretender. He pursued the French fleet to the firth of Forth, took one ship, and forced the fleet back to Dunkirk, on which occasion he was presented with the freedom of the city of Edinburgh. On the breaking out of the rebellion of 1715, he was appointed to the com
mand of a squadron in the Downs, and for important services against the French, was created a baronet. In 1718, he commanded the English fleet sent to Sicily for the pro tection of the neutrality of Italy, and gained a victory over the Spanish fleet off Messina. Soon after, he was appointed treasurer of the navy, and rear-admiral of Great Britain. III Jan.. 1721, lie was sworn one of the privy council, and in Sept. following, created baron Southhill and viscount Torrington. On the revival of the order of the bath, in 1725, he was installed one of the knights; and, on the accession of George II., was nominated first lord of the admiralty. Ile represented Plymouth in parliament from 1706 until 1721. Died Jan. 17, 1733.