Captain william henry jervis (formerly Ricketts), the son of William Henry and Mary Ricketts, was born November 4, 1764, in Park-street, Grovesnor-square. At the age of eight, he was placed at the grammar school at Odiham, under the tuition of the Reverend Thomas Webb. From this school he was removed to Winchester college (of which the celebrated Dr. Worton was then master), and placed under the instruction of the excellent and learned Mr. Huntingford (the present Bishop of Gloucester). There he derived every advantage which an active and industrious mind so rapidly acquires from the erudition of an intelligent master.

In reviewing this period of life, the dawnings of intellectual ability and intrinsic merit are never hidden from us. We may always trace the expanding genius of youth with confidence, when the natural disposition is generous and open. Such was particularly the case with the subject of this memoir, who, very early fired by an ardent inclination to enter that walk of life which had been trodden by so many with honour to themselves, and benefit to their country, imbibed a desire for the sea service. His excellent and indulgent parents, solicitous to cherish the growing zeal of their son, and having the happy opportunity of placing him under an officer so highly distinguished as his maternal uncle, Captain Jervis (now Earl St. Vincent), determined to accede to his wishes; and, in 1781, he embarked in the Foudroyant.