Sir Archibald Dickson, 1st Baronet

Promoted to captain on 31 January 1774, Dickson was given command of the fourth-rate HMS Antelope in January 1774 and the sixth-rate HMS Greyhound in October 1775.[1] In Greyhound, he took part in the action against the Penobscot Expedition in July 1779 and fought at the Battle of Martinique in April 1780 during the American Revolutionary War.[1] He was next given command of the third-rate HMS Dublin and saw action at the Battle of Cape Spartel in October 1782.[2] After that he was given command of the third-rate HMS Goliath in 1786, of the third-rate HMS Captain in 1790 and the third-rate HMS Egmont in 1793.[1]

Promoted to rear-admiral on 12 April 1794 and to vice-admiral on 1 June 1795, Dickson became Commander-in-Chief, North Sea in 1800.[3] In August 1800 a diplomatic mission was sent to Copenhagen under Lord Whitworth, accompanied by a fleet under Dickson's command.[4] He was promoted to full admiral on 1 January 1801.[1]

In honour of his service, Dickson was created Sir Archibald Dickson 1st Baronet on 21 September 1802. Dickson had married twice and had a daughter, Elizabeth, but no male heir. Therefore the baronetcy was created with a remainder, allowing it to be inherited by his nephew, Archibald Collingwood Dickson.[5]

• Tracy, Nicholas (2006). Who's who in Nelson's Navy: 200 Naval Heroes. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-244-5.