Sir John Floyd, 1st Baronet

Sir John William Floyd, 1st Baronet, was born on 22 February 1748. He was the eldest child of Captain John Floyd and Mary Floyd (née Bate).

Floyd's military career began with his commissioning as a Cornet in Eliott's Light Horse on 5 April 1760. This regiment later became the 15th The King's Hussars. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 April 1763 and to Captain-Lieutenant on 20 May 1770. On 25 May 1772, he received a commission as Captain in the 15th (The King's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons.

He was appointed Major of the 21st Light Dragoons on 5 May 1779. Subsequently, on 24 September 1779, he was commissioned and gazetted as Lieutenant-Colonel of the newly formed cavalry regiment for duty in India, initially named the 23rd Light Dragoons, later renamed the 19th Light Dragoons. He achieved the rank of Colonel on 18 November 1790.

In 1790, Lord Cornwallis appointed Floyd to command all cavalry and military units on the coast of India. During the Third Anglo-Mysore War, Floyd led British cavalry forces against Tipu Sultan, including a engagement resulting in the loss of 300 horses before the 1791 siege of Bangalore.

Floyd's promotions continued as follows: he was promoted to Major-General on 5 October 1794; he was appointed Colonel of the 23rd Light Dragoons on 14 September 1800; and on 1 January 1801, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant-General. He transferred as colonel to the 8th Light Dragoons on 13 September 1804, and was promoted to full General on 1 January 1812.

In 1800, Floyd returned to England and subsequently served on the General Staff in Ireland for several years. In 1812, he was appointed the governor of Gravesend and Tilbury, a position he held until 1818.

He was created a baronet in 1816. Floyd died suddenly of gout on 10 January 1818.

Floyd was married twice. His first wife was Rebecca Juliana Darke, daughter of Charles Darke of Madras. With her, he had three children, including Julia Floyd, who married Sir Robert Peel. His second wife was Anna Morgell, daughter of Crosbie Morgell of County Kerry, and widow of Sir Barry Denny, 2nd Baronet.