Portrait of Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. John Forbes (1714-1796), three-quarter length, in naval uniform, shipping beyond

The Hon. John Forbes was born in Minorca, to George Forbes, 3rd Earl of Granard. He married Lady Mary Capell (1722-1782), daughter of the 3rd Earl of Essex, in 1758. He served as a naval commander during the War of the Austrian Succession; was promoted to Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1747; Vice-Admiral in 1755; and Admiral of the White in 1770. During later life, Forbes was twice elected to the Irish parliament. He died on 10 March 1796 and was buried next to his wife in the Essex family vault. He had twin daughters, one of whom, Katherine, married William Wellesley-Pole, Baron Maryborough, and later 3rd Earl of Mornington, and was mother of Lady Emily Wellesley-Pole, later Lady FitzRoy Somerset. A related bust-length composition of 1778 by George Romney is in the National Maritime Museum, London.