REP'PEL, Aucusrus, Viscount (1725-86). An English admiral, the son of William, second Earl of Albemarle, and grandson of Arnold Jnost van Koppel, first Earl of Albemarle, a Dutch general in the suite of William of Orange when he came to England in 1688. He was educated at Westminster School. and in 1735 joined the navy. After serving on the Guinea coast and in the Mediterranean, in 1740.44, he accompanied Anson on the latter's voyage around the world. In 1744 be was promoted to post-captain. and for several years made successful expeditions, notably in 1748. when he concluded a treaty with the icy of Algiers, and in 1762, when Havana. was taken after a siege of two months. In 17112 he became rear-admiral of the blue, and in 1778 admiral. The same year he came into special prominence in connection with the indecisive en gagement. oil' lIshant, when, owing to the failure of Sir Ilugh Palliser. who commanded the rear, to
obey Kippers signals, the French fleet under D'Orvilliers escaped into Brest. The facts becom ing known. Palliser, who was in favor with kep pet's political opponents. demanded a mini-mar tial accusing Keppel of incompetency and coward ice. The trial resulted in a complete vindication, and approval of Kcppel's course of action, and he became the hero at numerous popular demonstra tions. His services, however, were suspended by his opponents, hut as an active member of Parliament he was a capable critic of their naval administration, and in 1782, under a change of Ministry, was appointed first Lord of the Admiralty, and the same year was created Viscount Koppel and Baron Elden. Consult Felipe] (his grandnephew), Life of Admiral Kep pel (London, 2 vols., 1842).