In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

BOOK REVIEWS165 Dictionary of Admirals of the U.S. Navy Volume 1: 1862-1900. By William B. Cogar. (Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1989. Pp. xxxi, 217. $36.95.) Between 1862, the year the rank was created, and 1900, 211 men attained admiral in the United States Navy. Among them are famous names: David G. Farragut or George Dewey; others are obscure individuals, even to specialists in naval history. Heretofore there has existed no singleplace reference source which provided concise, reliable biographical information on the navy's combat and administrative leaders who reached the topmost rung on the ladder of rank. Now that gap is filled—and filled in an exemplary fashion. William B. Cogar's Dictionary ofAdmirals of the U.S. Navy, 1862-1900, is the first installment of a projected multivolume compilation which will, if carried out as planned, extend its coverage well into the twentieth century. Cogar's work differs in character from such familiar biographical compendiums as the Dictionary of American Biography or Sibley's Harvard Graduates. The author has not written critical narratives sketches of his subjects. Rather, each entry is strictly factual and divided into sections which provide (1) basic genealogical data; (2) a list of ranks attained with dates; (3) a "career summary," basically a list of duty assignments; (4) "career highlights," a short, non-critical indication of the most significant aspects of the subject's professional service; (5) the whereabouts of personal papers; and (6) a bibliography of writings by and about the admiral. The latter three sections do not appear in every sketch. Portraits, primarily photographs, are provided for almost all of the admirals, an exceptionally useful feature which more biographical dictionaries could emulate to advantage. This is a one-person effort: Each entry was written by Cogar. Information in the Dictionary of Admirals of the U.S. Navy is commendably complete and accurate. This reviewer compared Cogar's sketches of the twenty-one future admirals who entered the navy before the end of the War of 1812 with his own biographical data files on officers of the pre- 1815 navy. In nine cases, both sources had essentially the same information. For three instances Cogar's data was better and fuller; McKee had additional facts on eight men, primarily more complete data on the identity and social status of the admiral's parents. In one sketch McKee and Cogar each possessed significant information which the other lacked. The Naval Institute Press is to be commended for sponsoring, and Professor Cogar for executing, this highly useful new reference work. Future volumes are eagerly anticipated. Christopher McKee Grinnell College ...

pdf

Share