Sir Francis Blake Delaval KB (16 March 1727 – 7 August 1771) was a British actor, soldier and Member of Parliament.

He had a privileged and aristocratic education at Westminster School, Eton College and then Christ Church at Oxford University.

He added to it by building the folly known as Starlight Castle, overlooking Holywell Dene which leads to Seaton Sluice.

He took part in the Raid on St Malo, and received a knighthood for his bravery when storming the Brittany beach, although there were no French troops present to offer resistance.

He suffered a stroke, and was memorialized by his obituarist as "'the very soul of frolic and amusement (who) overbalanced a few foibles by a thousand amiable qualities".