PENN (Sir William), was born at Bristol in 1621, and inclined from his youth to maritime affairs. He was made captain at 21 years of age, rear-admiral of Ireland at 23, vice-admiral of Ireland at 25, admiral to the Straights at 29, vice-admiral of England at 31, and general in the first Dutch war at 32. Whence returning in 1655, he was chosen representative for the town of Weymouth; and in 1660 was made commissioner of the admiralty and navy, governor of the town and fort of Kinfales, vice-admiral of Munster, and a member of that provincial council. In 1664 he was chosen great captain-commander under the duke of York, and distinguished himself in an engagement against the Dutch fleet; after which he took leave of the sea, but continued in his other employments till 1669. He died in 1670.