1841 King / Egan 'Genealogical Tree' of British Naval Victories

This is Henry Innes' aquatint 'genealogical tree' of British naval commanders, engraved by James Egan and published by J. W. Laird in 1841. The tree charts the growth and professionalization of the Royal Navy, along with the many victories by which it established itself as the preeminent power upon the world's seas.

A Closer Look

The tree, the main subject of the view, sits before a coastal village and castle, with a contemporary warship anchored at right, likely a Caledonia class warship, one of the most advanced British warships built before the adoption of steam power and screw propulsion. The tree roots, trunk, and branches contain the names of renowned British naval officers with the dates and locations of their hallmark victories in chronological order from bottom to top. Many familiar names appear, such as Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 - 1596), Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1553 - 1618), and Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805), the most celebrated of all British naval commanders. A special place is reserved for Charles Howard, Baron of Effingham (1536 - 1624), who masterminded the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, at the base of the trunk.

Many of the names forming the roots of the tree date to the Elizabethan era (1558 - 1603). A standing royal navy had been formed by her father, Henry VII (r. 1509 - 1547), in 1546, but it reached fruition through the battles with Spain fought during Elizabeth I's rule. Known for its employment of privateers/pirates, the navy at this time included many colorful characters. Sir John Hawkins (1532 - 1595), at left, was a privateer and later Vice-Admiral in the repulse of the Spanish Armada, but was also an early English participant in and promoter of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Sir Horatio Palavicino (c. 1540 - 1600) was an Italian-born trader who was appointed by Queen Mary (r. 1553 - 1558) as the collector of Papal taxes in England, until Mary died, and Palavicino renounced Catholicism, kept the taxes for himself, and began lending money at interest to the royal houses of Europe, none more so than the English monarchy, becoming fabulously wealthy and influential in the process.

The most recent battle marked on the tree is the victory of Sir Edward Codrington (1770 - 1851) over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Navarino (October 20, 1827) during the Greek War of Independence. No mention is made of the Opium War, underway when the print was published, perhaps due to the delay in information reaching Britain or due to the ambiguities of the conflict (both moral ambiguity - the war was controversial in Britain - and the complex intermingling of East India Company and British regular military forces).

Publication History and Census

This view was designed by Henry Innes, engraved by James Egan, and published by J. W. Laird in London in 1841. The role and identity Benjamin B. King, who signs the work and dedicates it to the late William IV (r. 1830 - 1837), remains a mystery. Innes was involved in the production of two similar 'genealogical trees', both as rare today as the present work: a c. 1832 'Chronological Tree of Scottish History' and a c. 1842 'An oak tree represThis is Henry Innes' aquatint 'genealogical tree' of British naval commanders, engraved by James Egan and published by J. W. Laird in 1841. The tree charts the growth and professionalization of the Royal Navy, along with the many victories by which it established itself as the preeminent power upon the world's seas.

A Closer Look

The tree, the main subject of the view, sits before a coastal village and castle, with a contemporary warship anchored at right, likely a Caledonia class warship, one of the most advanced British warships built before the adoption of steam power and screw propulsion. The tree roots, trunk, and branches contain the names of renowned British naval officers with the dates and locations of their hallmark victories in chronological order from bottom to top. Many familiar names appear, such as Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 - 1596), Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1553 - 1618), and Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805), the most celebrated of all British naval commanders. A special place is reserved for Charles Howard, Baron of Effingham (1536 - 1624), who masterminded the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, at the base of the trunk.

Many of the names forming the roots of the tree date to the Elizabethan era (1558 - 1603). A standing royal navy had been formed by her father, Henry VII (r. 1509 - 1547), in 1546, but it reached fruition through the battles with Spain fought during Elizabeth I's rule. Known for its employment of privateers/pirates, the navy at this time included many colorful characters. Sir John Hawkins (1532 - 1595), at left, was a privateer and later Vice-Admiral in the repulse of the Spanish Armada, but was also an early English participant in and promoter of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Sir Horatio Palavicino (c. 1540 - 1600) was an Italian-born trader who was appointed by Queen Mary (r. 1553 - 1558) as the collector of Papal taxes in England, until Mary died, and Palavicino renounced Catholicism, kept the taxes for himself, and began lending money at interest to the royal houses of Europe, none more so than the English monarchy, becoming fabulously wealthy and influential in the process.

The most recent battle marked on the tree is the victory of Sir Edward Codrington (1770 - 1851) over the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Navarino (October 20, 1827) during the Greek War of Independence. No mention is made of the Opium War, underway when the print was published, perhaps due to the delay in information reaching Britain or due to the ambiguities of the conflict (both moral ambiguity - the war was controversial in Britain - and the complex intermingling of East India Company and British regular military forces).

Aquatint Etching

Aquatint is a printmaking technique used to create tonal effects in etchings, allowing for subtle gradations similar to watercolor washes. Developed in the 18th century, it involves coating a metal plate (typically copper) with a fine layer of powdered resin, which is then heated to adhere the particles to the surface. The plate is subsequently etched with acid, which bites around the resin grains to create a textured, porous surface that holds ink. By varying the exposure time and using stop-out varnish, artists can control the depth and richness of tones, making aquatint ideal for producing shaded backgrounds and atmospheric effects. It was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in topographical prints, book illustrations, and fine art, prized for its painterly quality and ability to convey depth and mood.

Publication History and Census

This view was designed by Henry Innes, engraved by James Egan, and published by J. W. Laird in London in 1841. The role and identity Benjamin B. King, who signs the work and dedicates it to the late William IV (r. 1830 - 1837), remains a mystery. Innes was involved in the production of two similar 'genealogical trees', both as rare today as the present work: a c. 1832 'Chronological Tree of Scottish History' and a c. 1842 'An oak tree representing the history of England…' (OCLC 1157552602). The present work is only noted among the holdings of the National Maritime Museum and the MIT Museum. enting the history of England…' (OCLC 1157552602). The present work is only noted among the holdings of the National Maritime Museum and the MIT Museum.