John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland,
KG (1504 – 22 August 1553) was an English general, admiral, and politician, who led the government of the young
King Edward VI from 1550 until 1553, and unsuccessfully tried to install
Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death. The son of
Edmund Dudley, a minister of
Henry VII executed by
Henry VIII, John Dudley became the
ward of
Sir Edward Guildford at the age of seven. He grew up in Guildford's household together with his future wife, Guildford's daughter
Jane, with whom he was to have 13 children. Dudley served as Vice-Admiral and
Lord Admiral from 1537 until 1547, during which time he set novel standards of navy organisation and was an innovative commander at sea. He also developed a strong interest in
overseas exploration. Dudley took part in the 1544 campaigns in Scotland and France and was one of Henry VIII's intimates in the last years of the reign. He was also a leader of the religious reform party at court.