Few who hear the shipping forecast, with its familiar sequence of numbers denoting the expected force of the wind, know what lies behind the man who gave the world the Beaufort Scale, a system that has never been bettered or replaced, but Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort’s enduring contribution to maritime science is just one part of his remarkable legacy.

In this richly detailed biography, bestselling author Nicholas Courtney brings to life the adventurous and accomplished career of Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774–1857). From a self-taught midshipman to Hydrographer to the Navy, Beaufort's life reads like a blend of Hornblower and Longitude, filled with pirates, wars, and royalty. His impact extended far beyond his famous scale, influencing polar exploration, meteorology, and even the voyages of the HMS Beagle that brought Charles Darwin to fame.

Drawing on Beaufort’s personal letters, journals, and naval records, Nicholas Courtney uncovers both the public and private life of a nineteenth-century hero whose contributions to science and exploration remain crucial to this day.