in lecture after lecture, until what at first was rejected as a paradox came in the end to be accepted as a commonplace. He worked quite independently of Captain Mahan, and his chief conclusions were published before Captain Mahan's works appeared. The admiral died quite suddenly and in the full swing of his literary activity on 13 October 1899, at Steeple Court, Botley, Hants. His latest published work was a biography of his friend Sir Astley Cooper Key, and his last article was a critical examination of the tactics adopted at Trafalgar, which showed his acumen and insight at their best. Notes External links 1831 births 1899 deaths Royal Navy personnel of the Crimean War Scottish naval historians Scottish inventors Royal Navy vice admirals People from Dumfries and Galloway People from Botley, Hampshire