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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

James K. Paulding (1778-1860) --
11th Secretary of the Navy, 1 July 1838 - 3 March 1841

James Kirke Paulding was born in New York state on 22 August 1778. Largely self-educated, he pursued dual careers as a Government employee and author for much of his life. His extesive writings included poetry, political works, fiction and non-fiction narratives, stories, novels and plays. His talent and prolific output made him an influential contemporary American literary figure.

Among Paulding's Government positions were those of secretary to the Board of Navy Commissioners in 1815-23 and Naval Agent in New York in 1824-38. President Martin Van Buren appointed him Secretary of the Navy in June 1838. As Secretary, he was a conservative figure, whose extensive knowledge of naval affairs was balanced by notable lack of enthusiasm for new technology. Nevertheless, his tenure was marked by advances in steam engineering, wide-ranging exploration efforts, enlargement of the fleet and an expansion of the Navy's apprenticeship program.

James K. Paulding left office with the change of administrations in March 1841, returned to literary pursuits and took up agriculture. He died on 6 April 1860 at his farm near Hyde Park, New York.

USS James K. Paulding (DD-238), 1920-1937, was named in honor of Secretary of the Navy Paulding.

This page features our only images of James K. Paulding.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 54790-A-KN (Color)

James K. Paulding,
Secretary of the Navy, 1 July 1838 - 3 March 1841

Portrait by A.S. Conrad.

Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 610 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 66693

James K. Paulding
,
Secretary of the Navy, 1838-1841

Engraving by P. Halpin, from a drawing by Joseph Wood, published during the 19th Century.
This image includes a facsimile of James K. Paulding's signature.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 490 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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6 May 2000