Family and Education

b. 23 June 1727, 3rd s. of Capt. Henry Bickerton of Bridgnorth, Salop by Mary née Dowdal of Carrickfergus, co. Antrim. educ. Westminster until 1739. m. 2 Jan. 1758, Mary Anne, da. and event. h. of Thomas Hussey of Wrexham, Denb., 2s. 2da. Kntd. 24 June 1773; cr. Bt. 29 May 1778.

Offices Held

Entered RN 1739, lt. 1746, capt. 1750; commr. in W.I. 1782-4; c.-in-c. Leeward Islands 1786-7, r.-adm. 1787, v.-adm. 1790; port adm. at Plymouth 1790-d.

Dir. Greenwich Hosp. 1769-d.

Biography

After a lifetime of active service in the navy, and shortly before becoming a vice-admiral, Bickerton was returned for Rochester on the Admiralty interest in 1790. He made no mark in Parliament apart from being listed hostile to the repeal of the Test Act in Scotland in 1791. He died of apoplexy, 25 Feb. 1792.

Charnock, Biog. Nav. vi. 349; Gent. Mag. (1792), i. 280.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Arthur Aspinall

Notes