Born and raised in St. Kew, Cornwall, where the family estate of Blazey Hall lies,  John Uglow Ramage had a distinguished naval career, rising to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the White... until it all ended rather badly with a court martial after an unsuccessful mission to the West Indies whence he was sent too late with too few ships to deal with insurgents on several islands. He resigned his commission and retired to Tuscany in 1783 where he remained until 1790 when he returned to England and began to be more active in public life as the 10th Earl of Blazey. His only son, Nicholas, has followed him into the Navy and is carving out his own successful career.

A noted naval strategist, the Earl of Blazey is somewhat of a thorn in the government's side, as he does not suffer fools gladly and can be quite outspoken about it.