Benjamin Gonson (c. 1525–1577) was an English Naval Administrator, and the first
Surveyor of the Royal Navy. He was a founding member of England's
Navy Board
The Navy Board (formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes) was the commission responsible for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. The board was headquartered within the ...
during the
Tudor period
The Tudor period occurred between 1485 and 1603 in History of England, England and Wales and includes the Elizabethan period during the reign of Elizabeth I until 1603. The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in Englan ...
.
Career
Benjamin Gonson began his career as a private
shipwright
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...
. He began his government work when he was appointed to the new
Council of the Marine
The Navy Board (formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes) was the commission responsible for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. The board was headquartered within the ...
established by
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...
on 24 April 1546 as
Surveyor and Rigger of the Navy.
He held this post until 1549 when he was succeeded by Admiral
William Wynter
Admiral Sir William Wynter (c. 1521 – 20 February 1589) was an admiral and principal officer of the Council of the Marine under Queen Elizabeth I of England and served the crown during the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604).
Personal
Wynter wa ...
. On 8 April 1549 he was appointed
Treasurer of Marine Causes which he first held alone (until 18 November 1577), and then jointly with Admiral
John Hawkins
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Second ...
(until 26 November 1577).
Personal
The son of Vice-Admiral
William Gonson
Vice-Admiral Sir William Gonson
(1482–1544), was a Naval Judge and Naval Administrator of the English Royal Navy who served under King Henry VIII.
Biography
Career
During the Tudor Period William Gonson's early career was as a private Mer ...
, he followed his father into government service. He married Ursula, daughter of
Anthony Hussey
Anthony Hussey, Esquire, (c.1496 – 1560) (also written Huse, Hussie, etc.) was an English merchant and lawyer who was President Judge of the High Court of Admiralty under Henry VIII, before becoming Principal Registrar to the Archbishops of ...
(an
Admiralty Court
Admiralty courts, also known as maritime courts, are courts exercising jurisdiction over all maritime contracts, torts, injuries, and offences.
Admiralty courts in the United Kingdom England and Wales
Scotland
The Scottish court's earliest ...
judge under
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...
) on 8 April 1546.
He had fourteen children with Ursula all born between the years 1547–67;
he died in December 1577.
See also
*
Admiralty in the 16th century
The Admiralty and Marine Affairs Office (1546-1707), previously known as the Admiralty Office (1414-1546), was a government department of the Kingdom of England, responsible for the Royal Navy. First established in 1414 when the offices of the se ...
*
Navy Board
The Navy Board (formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes) was the commission responsible for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. The board was headquartered within the ...
*
Tudor Navy
The Tudor navy was the navy of the Kingdom of England under the ruling Tudor dynasty (1485–1603). The period involved important and critical changes that led to the establishment of a permanent navy and laid the foundations for the future Ro ...
*
William Gonson
Vice-Admiral Sir William Gonson
(1482–1544), was a Naval Judge and Naval Administrator of the English Royal Navy who served under King Henry VIII.
Biography
Career
During the Tudor Period William Gonson's early career was as a private Mer ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonson, Benjamin
1520s births
1577 deaths
16th-century Royal Navy personnel
People from London
People of the Tudor period
Burials at St Dunstan-in-the-East