Edward Simpson (naval officer)
Edward Simpson | |
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Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Edward Simpson (March 3, 1824 – December 1, 1888) served as an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War, eventually attaining the rank of rear admiral. His service included being assigned as commanding officer of several Navy ships and serving with distinction in various shore assignments.
Early life
Edward Simpson was born on March 3, 1824, in New York City, to parents Edmund and Elizabeth (Jones) Simpson, both actors.[1]
Simpson was appointed
Pre-Civil War service
After graduation on July 9, 1846, Simpson reported to USS Vixen and participated in numerous bombardments during the Mexican–American War.
During the next 15 years, he served afloat in the
Civil War service
In May 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War, Simpson moved with the Naval Academy to Newport, Rhode Island, where it was relocated for the duration of the war. In 1862 he became Commandant of Midshipmen.
In June 1863 he took command of the
Post-war activity
After the war, he alternated tours of command ashore and afloat with tours of ordnance duty, including a mission to
Promoted to
Rear Admiral Simpson died in Washington, D.C., December 1, 1888, and was buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery.[3] The destroyer USS Simpson (DD-221), commissioned on November 3, 1920, was named in his honor. His son, Edward Simpson Jr., also became a rear admiral, and his daughter Ruth married Rear Admiral Charles Mitchell Thomas.[4]
Promotions
- Midshipman – February 11, 1840
- Passed midshipman – July 11, 1846
- Master – July 10, 1854
- Lieutenant – April 18, 1855
- Lieutenant commander – July 16, 1862
- Commander – March 3, 1865
- Captain – August 15, 1870
- Commodore – April 26, 1878
- Rear admiral – February 9, 1884
- Retired list – March 3, 1886
See also
References
- ^ Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1943. p. 178.
- ^ a b The National Cyclopedia of American Biography. Vol. XI. James T. White & Company. 1901. p. 423. Retrieved August 6, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Edward Simpson". New-York Tribune. Washington. December 2, 1888. p. 4. Retrieved August 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ISBN 978-1-4766-6636-5.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.