Edward Lord Hawke, was the only son of Edward Hawke, of Lincoln's-Inn, Esq. Barrister at Law, by Elizabeth his wife, relict of Colonel Ruthven. Being intended for the Navy while yet a boy, he received an education suitable to the line of life he was to pursue. Having passed through the subordinate stations of the service, and acquired a very perfect knowledge of every branch of his duty, he was, in the year 1733, made Commander of the Wolf sloop of war, and in March 1734, he was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, and appointed to the command of the Flamborough.

In 1740, he got the Lark, of 40 guns, with which ship he was dispatched to the Leeward Islands. On his return from that station he was appointed to the Portland, of 50 guns. He was soon afterwards removed to the Berwick, of 74 guns, one of the ships ordered at that time to the Mediterranean to reinforce the fleet under Admiral Mathews.

On their return from the Mediterranean his ship was paid off, after which he continued for ten years unemployed, a circumstance not a little vexatious to a mind so full of ardour and enterprise.