biography
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1768–1851)
|
| biography:
| Naval officer, probably born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. After youthful service in the Revolution, he became a lieutenant in the US navy (1798). Commanding the USS Chesapeake in its disastrous fight with the British Leopold (1807), he was court-martialled and found guilty of negligence. After five years with the French navy, he returned to the US navy. Convinced that Stephen Decatur was leading an effort to block his career, he challenged and killed Decatur in a duel (1820). Despised by most in the navy, he remained on inactive status until his death. |
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