John Wesley Wright

Who is John Wesley Wright?

John Wesley Wright, was a Royal Navy commander and captain. Early in 1781 he was entered on board the Brilliant with Roger Curtis, and was for the next two years at Gibraltar during the siege. In 1783, when the Brilliant was paid off, Wright was sent to a school at Wandsworth, where he remained for two years. He was then employed for some time in a merchant's office in the city, and—apparently in 1788—was sent ‘on an important commission’ to St. Petersburg. He remained in Russia for the next five years, visiting Moscow and other places, and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the language. He was introduced to Sir Sidney Smith, and at his request joined the Diamond in the spring of 1794 with the rating of midshipman, and apparently doing duty as captain's clerk for Smith; Wright seems to have described himself as ‘the secretary of his friend.’ After nearly two years on the coast of France, he was with Smith on the night of 18–19 April 1796, when both were taken prisoner. His confidential relations to Smith secured him the particular attentions of the French government; he was sent with Smith to Paris, was confined in the Temple as a close prisoner, was repeatedly examined as to Smith's designs, and finally effected his escape with Smith in May 1798. He then joined the Tigre, apparently as acting lieutenant, for his commission was not confirmed till 29 March 1800. He continued with Smith throughout the commission at Acre and on the coast of Egypt till promoted, on 7 May 1802, to the sloop Cynthia, which he took to England.