Captain Isaac Schomberg (27 March 1753 – 21 January 1813) was a highly controversial officer of the British Royal Navy whose constant disputes with senior officers resulted in courts-martial, lawsuits and the eventual stagnation of his career. However, despite his contentious nature, Schomberg was a brave officer who gained distinction in several actions during the American Revolutionary and French Revolutionary Wars. He finished his career as a commissioner of the Navy and devoted most of the last fifteen years of his life to writing an influential history of naval operations in and around Britain. Schomberg was born in London to Ralph Schomberg, son of Meyer Löw Schomberg both prominent physicians of German Jewish descent, although his father had converted to the Anglican faith in his youth. His mother was Elizabeth Crowcher, daughter of a wealthy merchant from Wapping. One of ten children with seven uncles, Schomberg's family were very prominent in middle-class eighteenth century London and Isaac (not to be confused with his uncle Isaac Schomberg, a prominent doctor) grew up in a literary environment, his father a common contributor to medical and literary journals. American Revolutionary War In 1770, Schomberg became the second of his large family to join the Royal Navy, taking commission as a midshipman. He was initially attached to the royal yacht Royal Charlotte but within six months had secured a position on his uncle Alexander Schomberg's ship HMS Prudent. In 1771 he was again transferred, to HMS Trident, commanded by Sir Peter Denis. For the next three years Schomberg served on Trident in the Mediterranean, with two brief detachments to other ships. At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Schomberg moved to HMS Romney on the Newfoundland station. Aboard Romney, Schomberg came to the attention of a succession of senior officers, including George Elphinstone, Robert Duff and John Montagu. This patronage enabled his advancement to lieutenant and command of the schooner HMS Labrador and brig HMS Hinchinbroke. In 1778, Schomberg returned to Europe aboard HMS Europe. In 1779, Schomberg took position on the ship of the line HMS Canada, whose captain commended him on his excellent seamanship. In 1781, Canada was at the relief of the Great Siege of Gibraltar and later in the same year captured the Spanish frigate Santa Leocadia. By the end of the year, Schomberg was in the West Indies and saw action in Canada at the Battle of St