Fletcher Christian ( September 25 , 1764 - 1793 ) was an English seaman on HMS Bounty when it sailed to Tahiti to collect breadfruit trees in 1787 . He led a mutiny ( take over ) to stop Lieutenant William Bligh returning to England . Fletcher Christian ( 25 September 1764 -- 20 September 1793 ) was a master 's mate on board the Bounty during William Bligh 's fateful voyage to Tahiti for breadfruit plants ( see Mutiny on the Bounty ) .