John Mennes
Sir John Mennes | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Mennes by Anthony van Dyck. | |
| Born | 1 March 1599 Sandwich, Kent, England |
| Died | 18 February 1671 (aged 71) London, England |
| Allegiance | England |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Rank | Vice-Admiral |
| Commands | Adventure Garland Red Lion Vanguard Convertine Nonsuch Victory Henry Downs Station Commander in Chief, Narrow Seas Comptroller of the Navy |
Vice-Admiral Sir John Mennes (with variant spellings, 1 March 1599 – 18 February 1671) was an English naval officer, who went on to be Comptroller of the Navy. He was also considered a wit. His comic and satirical verses, written in correspondence with James Smith, were published in 1656. He figures prominently in the Diary of Samuel Pepys, who reported directly to Mennes at the Navy Office and thought him an incompetent civil servant, but a delightful social companion.