Baron John Arbuthnot Fisher Fisher

Born in 1841, John Arbuthnot Fisher rose through the Royal Navy to become one of the most influential admirals of his time. He served in a long naval career that stretched from the mid-19th century into the years before the First World War, and he was eventually created Baron Fisher.

Fisher is best remembered as a reformer. As First Sea Lord, he pushed hard for efficiency, new technology, and a stronger, more modern fleet. He is closely associated with the move toward all-big-gun battleships and with the spirit of change that produced HMS Dreadnought, a ship that transformed naval strategy around the world.

He was admired for his energy and vision, though he could also be controversial and combative. Even so, his impact on British sea power was enormous, and his ideas helped shape the navy that entered the 20th century.