Background
He was born in London in 1821. His father was Charles Aston Key (1793 - 1849), the pupil of Sir Astley Cooper, and his mother was the latter's niece.
He was born in London in 1821. His father was Charles Aston Key (1793 - 1849), the pupil of Sir Astley Cooper, and his mother was the latter's niece.
He had initial training at the Royal Navy College at Portsmouth.
He entered the navy in 1833. After distinguishing himself in active service abroad, on the South American station (1844 - 1846), in the Baltic during the Crimean War (C. B. 1853) and China (1857), Key was appointed in 1858 a member of the royal commission on national defence, in 1860 captain of the steam reserve at Devonport, and in 1863 captain of H. M. S. " Excellent " and superintendent of the Royal Naval College. He had a considerable sliare in advising as to the reorganization of administration, and in 1866, having become rear-admiral, was made director of naval ordnance.
Between 1869 and 1872 he held the offices of superintendent of Portsmouth dockyard, superintendent of Malta dockyard, and second in command in the Mediterranean. In 1872 he was made president of the projected Royal Naval College at Greenwich, which was organized by him, and after its opening in 1873 he was made a K. C. B. and a vice- admiral. In 1876 he was appointed commander-in-chief on the North American and West Indian station.
On 28 April 1856 at Gonville, Jersey, Key married Charlotte Lavinia McNeil, daughter of Edmund and Rose McNeil. Astley and Charlotte's daughter was artist and author Rose Champion de Crespigny.
In October 1877 at Halifax, Sir Astlet married, secondly, Evelyn Bartolucci.