Beatty, David Beatty, 1st Earl

Beatty, David Beatty, 1st Earl bēˈtē [key], 1871–1936, British admiral. He served with distinction in Egypt and Sudan (1896–98) and in the Boxer Uprising (1900) in China. Made rear admiral in 1910, he commanded successful naval actions early in World War I at Helgoland Bight (1914) and at Dogger Bank (1915). His battle cruiser squadron lured the German fleet into position for an engagement with the British grand fleet under Admiral John Jellicoe at the battle of Jutland (1916). Beatty commanded (1916–19) the fleet and was (1919–27) first sea lord of the navy. He was created Earl Beatty in 1919.

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