sent home. In 1764 he married Helen Duff, the daughter of his cousin, the first Earl of Fife. Duff was promoted to rear-admiral of the blue on 31 March 1775, and in April was sent out as commander-in-chief at Newfoundland. His posting was brief, in 1776 he became rear-admiral of the white and in September 1777 he was appointed to the command of the Mediterranean Fleet, with the 60-gun as his flagship. American War of Independence By now a rear-admiral of the red, he supported the British forces defending Gibraltar from Don Antonio Barcelo's fleet when the siege there broke out in 1779, but had limited forces at his disposal and he was recalled early in 1780. He had been promoted to vice-admiral of the blue on 29 January 1778, and was advanced to vice-admiral of the white later that year, but held no further command after his return to England in 1780. Later years and death His portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds for Greenwich Hospital. Increasingly ill with gout during his later years, he died at Queensferry on 6 June 1787, his death being attributed to an attack of gout in the stomach. He had a number of children by his marriage to Helen Duff: Jean (1765-1839), in 1791 married her cousin (Robert's nephew) James Clerk-Rattray of Edinburgh, later Baron of the Exchequer A son (b.1766, dsp) Robert William (b.1767, grandfather of Robert Duff) A child (b. 1775, d. young) Adam (1775–1840) James Alexander Duff (1777–1800) Another of Robert Duff's relations, his grandnephew George Duff, achieved distinction in the navy. He was part of Horatio Nelson's fleet, and was assigned to command the inshore squadron watching the enemy in Cadiz prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. He commanded the 74-gun during the battle, and was killed during the fighting. Notes References . (subscription required). External links Biography at Government House The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador |- 1720s births 1787 deaths Governors of Newfoundland Colony Royal Navy admirals Royal Navy personnel of the American Revolutionary War Royal Navy personnel of the Seven Years' War Royal Navy personnel of the War of the Austrian Succession