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Lot Essay
Although he served as a lieutenant in the East Indies during the Seven Years' War, and became Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1800, Sir Richard Pearson (1731-1806) is best known for his famous surrender of the Serapis in 1779.
Pearson was escorting a large convoy from the Baltic on the Serapis, when he was attacked off Flamborough Head by the Bonhomme Richard under the command of American naval hero John Paul Jones. Even though Pearson surrendered to Jones, he only did so after the valuable convoy had already safely escaped. Due to this valiant action, he was considered a hero, was knighted, and received gifts from the merchants and the freedoms of several towns.
Pearson was escorting a large convoy from the Baltic on the Serapis, when he was attacked off Flamborough Head by the Bonhomme Richard under the command of American naval hero John Paul Jones. Even though Pearson surrendered to Jones, he only did so after the valuable convoy had already safely escaped. Due to this valiant action, he was considered a hero, was knighted, and received gifts from the merchants and the freedoms of several towns.