John Byng

John Byng (1704–1757) was a British admiral who was court-martialled and executed by firing squad for failing to "do his utmost" during the Battle of Minorca, at the beginning of the Seven Years' War.

John Byng in Atlantis
John Byng was hanged by the British government for dereliction of duty. Voltaire believed the reason was because the British government wanted to encourage its other admirals by example. Custis Cawthorne referenced this incident in the Atlantean Assembly to emphasize how important it was that the Atlanteans win the Atlantean War of Independence.