Naval officer and author; born in
West Point, N. Y., Sept. 27, 1840; son of
Dennis Hart Mahan, for many years
Professor of Military Engineering in the United States Military Academy; graduated at the Naval Academy in 1859; promoted lieutenant, 1861;
lieutenant-commander, 1865; commander, 1872; and captain, 1885.
After the
Civil War he served in the
South Atlantic, Pacific, Asiatic, and
European squadrons.
During 1886-93 he was president of the Naval War College, at
Newport, R. I.; in 1893-96 was in command of the
United States protected cruiser
Chicago; and was retired at his own request, Nov. 17, 1896.
During the war with
Spain he was recalled to active service and made a member of the naval advisory board, and in 1899
President McKinley appointed him a delegate to the peace conference at
The Hague.
Captain Mahan is known the world over for his
[
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publications on naval subjects, and particularly on naval strategy.
He was dined by Queen Victoria; honored with the degree of Ll.D. by Cambridge, Oxford, and McGill universities; and had his
Influence of sea power in history translated by the German Naval Department and supplied to all the public libraries, schools, and government institutions in the
German Empire.
Besides a large number of review and magazine articles, he has published
The Gulf and inland waters;
Influence of sea power upon history;
Influence of sea power upon the French Revolution and Empire;
Life of Admiral Farragut;
Life of Nelson;
The interest of the United States in sea power.
See
Captain Mahan's article on naval ships.
