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

Photo #  NH 82502:  James R. Soley

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

James R. Soley (1850-1911) --
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 18 July 1890 - 19 March 1893

James Russell Soley was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 1 October 1850. He received his higher education at Harvard College, graduating in 1870, and later studied Law at Columbian University in the District of Columbia. In 1870, Soley was appointed an Assistant Professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy, ultimately attaining a full professorship with the relative rank of Commander. He was head of the Academy's Department of History and International Law during much of his time at that institution.

In 1882, Professor Soley became Superintendent of the Navy Department's Office of Naval War Records, where he was responsible for work that led to the publication of the multi-volume "Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion". He also authored many other books and articles and lectured extensively on history and international law.

Resigning his commission in July 1890, Soley became Assistant Secretary of the Navy. During his tenure, he championed battleship construction, the Naval Militia and a variety of other new methods and reforms. Assistant Secretary Soley returned to private life in March 1893 and thereafter resided in New York City, where he practiced law. In 1899, Soley was counsel for Venezuela during the arbitration of a boundary dispute between that nation and Great Britain. James R. Soley died in New York on 11 September 1911.

USS Soley (DD-707), 1944-1970, was named in honor of James R. Soley.

This page features all our images of James R. Soley.


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

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Photo #: NH 82502

Assistant Secretary of the Navy James R. Soley


He served in that office from 18 July 1890 to 19 March 1893.

Courtesy of Secretary of the Navy John H. Chafee, 1974.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 45KB; 560 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45022

Assistant Secretary of the Navy James R. Soley


In his office at the Navy Department, Washington, D.C., circa 1890-1893.
Hanging on the the wall behind Soley is the Matthew Wilson portrait of William E. Chandler, Secretary of the Navy in 1882-85.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 595 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45021

James R. Soley


Engraving published "Harper's Weekly Magazine" (Volume 34, page 628) in about 1890, soon after he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 107KB; 535 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 45020

Professor James R. Soley, USN


Engraving published circa 1890.
Professor Soley served as Superintendent of Naval War Records from 1882 until 1890.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 101KB; 550 x 765 pixels

 


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


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

24 July 2001