Benjamin Gonson (c. 1525–1577) was an English Naval Administrator, and the first Surveyor of the Royal Navy. He was a founding member of England's

Navy Board The Navy Board (formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes) was the Regulatory agency, commission responsible for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. The board was headqua ...

during the

Tudor period In England and Wales, the Tudor period occurred between 1485 and 1603, including the Elizabethan era during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603). The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England, which began with ...

Career

Benjamin Gonson began his career as a private

shipwright Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. In modern times, it normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces i ...

. He began his government work when he was appointed to the new

Council of the Marine The Navy Board (formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes) was the commission responsible for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. The board was headquartered within the ...

established by

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

on 24 April 1546 as Surveyor and Rigger of the Navy. He held this post until 1549 when he was succeeded by Admiral

William Wynter Admiral Sir William Wynter (c. 1521 – 20 February 1589) held the office of Surveyor and Rigger of the Navy for 40 years, from 1549 until his death in 1589, and combined that with the office of Master of Navy Ordnance from 1557. He was an admira ...

. On 8 April 1549 he was appointed Treasurer of Marine Causes which he first held alone (until 18 November 1577), and then jointly with Admiral John Hawkins (until 26 November 1577).

Personal

The son of Vice-Admiral William Gonson, he followed his father into government service. He married Ursula, daughter of

Anthony Hussey Anthony Hussey, Armiger, Esquire, ( – 1560; also written Huse, Hussie, etc.) was an English merchant and lawyer who was President Judge of the High Court of Admiralty under Henry VIII of England, Henry VIII, before becoming Principal Registr ...

(an

Admiralty Court Admiralty courts, also known as maritime courts, are courts exercising jurisdiction over all admiralty law, maritime contracts, torts, injuries, and offenses. United Kingdom England and Wales Scotland The Scottish court's earliest records, ...

judge under

) on 8 April 1546. He had fourteen children with Ursula all born between the years 1547–67; he died in December 1577.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonson, Benjamin 1520s births 1577 deaths 16th-century Royal Navy personnel People from London People of the Tudor period Burials at St Dunstan-in-the-East

Career

Personal

See also

References