Robert Manners, that the loss and damage sustained in those ships were very trifling, and they very much preserved the other ships in the rear." In furthering the fond aspirations of Affleck, time was any thing but tardy. On the 9 and 12 April ensuing, opportunity was again afforded him to increase his laurels. In the well-known conflicts that took place on those different days between Rodney and the Count de Grasse, and particularly in the memorable battle of the 12th, the commodore, in bringing up the rear of the centre division of the British fleet, manifested the noblest bearing. For the services rendered to his country in this glorious achievement, his sovereign conferred on him in 1782 the dignity of baronet of Britain; and out of compliment to his gallantry and general conduct, the electors of Colchester returned him the same year to represent that borough in parliament, which he did until his death. In turn, he attained his flag rank (in 1784), but in the capacity of admiral was never employed afloat. In 1784 he bought Fingringhoe Hall in Essex. He died at his London house on 19 November 1788. He had married twice; firstly widow Hester Creffeild (née Hester Ruth) and secondly widow Margaret Smythies. He had only a daughter Charlotte and thus Fingringhoe Hall passed to the 2nd Baronet, Gilbert. See also Philip Affleck, his brother, the admiral. HMS Affleck, named after Sir Edmund Affleck. References External links 18th-century British writers Royal Navy rear admirals British MPs 1780–1784 British MPs 1784–1790 Royal Navy personnel of the American Revolutionary War Baronets in the Baronetage of Great Britain Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies 1725 births 1788 deaths