Vice-Admiral George Delaval (c. 1667 – 22 June 1723) was a Royal Navy officer, diplomat and Whig politician who served as the British ambassador to Portugal from 1710 to 1714. He also represented West Looe in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1715 to 1723.
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Family
Delaval was of a junior branch of the Delaval family, the son of George Delaval of North Dissington, Northumberland. His father left him a legacy of only £100, but he went on to make a large fortune from his naval and diplomatic career.
Naval career
Delaval joined the Royal Navy and by 1693 had achieved the rank of 3rd lieutenant aboard HMS Lenox. In 1698 he travelled to North Africa to negotiate the release of British prisoners and concluded a treaty with Morocco in 1700. On his return as Captain Delaval in May 1700, he took command of the newly commissioned 4th rate man of war HMS Tilbury.
He commanded HMS Tilbury in the vanguard at the Battle of Málaga in the War of the Spanish Succession on 24 August 1704. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1718 and to vice admiral in 1722.