Derby, George M.
Variant namesGeorge McClellan Derby (1856-1948) was a U.S. Army engineer recognized for his aerial balloon assents and reconnaissance efforts during the Santiago de Cuba campaign of the Spanish-American War. For the majority of his military career, he was involved in river engineering projects throughout the United States.
From the description of George McClellan Derby letters, 1874-1924 and undated. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 659760485
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1856 Nov. 1:
Born at sea to George Horatio Derby (1823-1861) and Mary A. (Coons) Derby -
1865 -1871 :Educated in Paris, Dresden, and Lausanne, Switzerland -
1874 -1878 :Attended the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. (# 2717); graduated top of class -
1878 June 14:
Promoted to Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army -
1881 Jan. 2:
Promoted to First Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers -
1881 -1889 :Served as Assistant Engineer in charge of river and harbor works in New York and northeastern New Jersey including the Hell Gate obstruction removal project -
1888 Apr. 7:
Promoted to Captain, Corps of Engineers -
1889 -1893 :Taught at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. -
1893 -1894 :Served as Assistant to Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia -
1894 -1902 :In charge of 4th District, Mississippi River improvements -
1898 May 9:
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Chief Engineer, U.S. Volunteers -
1898 July 5:
Promoted to Major, Corps of Engineers -
1898 July 5 -Oct. 1 :Served as Chief Engineer, Fifth Army Corps, in Cuba during the Santiago campaign of the Spanish-American War, and later as Chief Engineer, Second Army Corps -
1902 -1903 :In charge of Louisville and Portland canal and other river and harbor works in Louisville, Kentucky -
1903 -1906 :In charge of reservoirs at headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota -
1904 Apr. 4:
Married Bessie Kidder (b. 1884) of New Orleans, daughter of Bessie (Low) Kidder and niece of Clarence F. Low -
1906 May 5:
Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers -
1907 June 7:
Retired at own request from military service -
1948 Oct. 25:
Died in New Orleans, Louisiana
From the guide to the George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)
Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| creatorOf | George McClellan Derby Letters, 1874-1924 and undated | David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library | |
| creatorOf | Derby, George M. George McClellan Derby letters, 1874-1924 and undated. | Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library |
Bibliographic and Digital Archival Resources
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
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Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | Derby, Bessie. | person |
| associatedWith | Low, Clarence F. | person |
| associatedWith | United States Military Academy | corporateBody |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (State) | |||
| New Orleans (La.) |
| Subject |
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| Communication in families |
| Families of military personnel |
| River engineering |
| Underwater explosions |
| Occupation |
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| Activity |
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Active 1874
Active 1924
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