John Fisher

John Fisher (1841-1920), admiral who commanded the British navy during World War I (1914-1918). John Arbuthnot Fisher was born in Ramboda, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He served in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and became a gunnery specialist. As captain of the Inflexible, he took part in the bombardment of Alexandria, Egypt, in 1882. Fisher became a rear admiral in 1890, and as first sea lord of the admiralty from 1904 to 1910, he exercised great influence on naval development and reform. He aroused opposition, however, because of his economies in administration and was accused of using autocratic methods. He was created a peer as Baron Fisher of Kilverstone in 1909 and resigned from the service early in 1910. He was recalled as first sea lord in October 1914 at the beginning of World War I. The British victory at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on December 8, 1914, was due to his bold strategy. Fisher was also responsible for the policies of naval blockade and extensive mining operations during World War I. His disapproval of the Gallipoli campaign caused him to resign in 1915.