Benson, William Shepherd, 1855-1932

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1855-09-25
Death 1932-05-20
English,

Biographical notes:

William Shepherd Benson (1855-1932) was the first Chief of Naval Operations, serving from May 11, 1915 to September 25, 1919.

From the description of Benson, William Shepherd, 1855-1932 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10569386

U.S. naval officer and public official.

From the description of William Shepherd Benson papers, circa 1791-1952 (bulk 1915-1928). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981098

Epithet: US admiral

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000471.0x000140

Biographical Note

1855, Sept. 25 Born, Macon, Bibb County, Ga. 1877 Graduated, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1877 1888 Duty in Hartford (sloop), Constitution (frigate), and Yantic (gunboat) 1879 Married Mary Augusta Wyse 1888 1889 Duty in Dolphin (despatch boat) 1890 1893 Duty at the Coast and Geodetic Survey, Lighthouse Survey, and as instructor, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1893 Promoted to lieutenant 1896 1898 Instructor, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1901 1903 Assistant to the commandant of midshipmen, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1905 Promoted to commander 1907 1908 Commandant of midshipmen, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1908 1910 Commanded Albany (cruiser), Pacific Fleet, and chief of staff of the fleet 1909 Promoted to captain 1910 1913 Commanded Utah (battleship), flagship of the Atlantic Fleet 1913 1915 Commandant, United States Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa. 1915 Promoted to rear admiral 1915 1919 Chief of naval operations 1916 Promoted to admiral 1917 Member, House Mission; appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to confer with Allied and Associated Powers in Europe 1918 1919 Member of special mission abroad; naval representative in drawing up naval terms of armistice with Central Powers; naval adviser to American Commission to Negotiate Peace 1919 Retired from United States Navy 1920 1921 Chairman, United States Shipping Board 1921 1925 President, National Council of Catholic Men 1921 1928 Commissioner, United States Shipping Board 1923 Published The Merchant Marine. New York: Macmillan 1932, May 20 Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the William Shepherd Benson Papers, circa 1791-1952, (bulk 1915-1928), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

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Subjects:

  • Disarmament
  • Merchant marine
  • Merchant marine
  • Navy-yards and naval stations
  • Navy-yards and naval stations
  • Shipping
  • Shipping
  • World War, 1914-1918
  • World War, 1914-1918

Occupations:

  • Naval officers
  • Public officials

Places:

  • Pennsylvania--Philadelphia (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)

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