14 Facts About Thomas Pye

Thomas Pye was briefly Member of Parliament for Rochester, and served as commander of several of the navy's principal stations and ports.

Thomas Pye commanded a number of ships during the War of the Austrian Succession, and was appointed commander-in-chief in the Leeward Islands, but a fit of temper when he was superseded almost cost him his career.

Thomas Pye did not receive active postings until the end of the Seven Years' War, when he commanded several of the navy's dockyards, and even returned to the Leeward Islands to take up his old post.

The fleet was reviewed by the King, and Thomas Pye received promotion and a knighthood.

Thomas Pye retired after the end of the war and died two years later.

Thomas Pye had conducted a long-running affair with the novelist Anna Maria Bennett, and left two children by her, including a daughter who became the famous actress Harriet Pye Bennett.

Thomas Pye was the great grandson of Robert Pye, the parliamentarian, and was uncle of Henry James Pye, the poet laureate.

Thomas Pye spent the rest of the year being stationed in British waters, after which he joined Admiral Thomas Mathews's fleet, and returned to the Mediterranean.

Frankland brought various other charges against Thomas Pye, accusing him of 'financial irregularities, interfering with the purchase of naval stores.

Thomas Pye used his political connections again to his advantage, putting pressure on the civilian members of the board, and while he was duly reprimanded for the lesser charges Frankland brought, he was not charged with disobeying his superior.

Thomas Pye tried to avoid the duty, pleading poor health, but was compelled to take part.

Thomas Pye's wife had died in 1762, and for seventeen years he had carried out an affair with the novelist Anna Maria Bennett, the wife of Thomas Bennett, a customs officer.

Thomas Pye's career was advanced through his political connections, rather than talent.

Thomas Pye acknowledged his difficulty expressing himself, writing that 'I had the mortification to be neglected in my education, went to sea at 14 without any, and a man of war was my university.