Geary was a rear-admiral under Hawke in 1759, but was not present at the Quiberon Bay action that November. In May 1780 Sandwich appointed him, then 70-years-old, to the command of the Channel fleet on the death of Sir Charles Hardy, during a critical period of threatened French invasion. The fleet was at sea for 76 days, and on his return to Spithead in August Geary, worn out, gave up the command for health reasons. Geary may be credited with holding the Channel Fleet together at the navy’s lowest point in the second half of the 18th century.

He is shown half-length full-face and is wearing flag officer’s full dress uniform, 1774–87. He is holding a telescope in his left hand and his right elbow rests on a rock. The date of about 1780 and stylistic considerations rule out a previous attribution to Francis Cotes who died in 1770. For Romney’s full-length portrait of Geary see BHC2707.