Naval History and Heritage Command

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August 31, 1918.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY.

CROWNINSHIELD, Benjamin Williams.

     Secretary of the Navy, born in Boston, Mass. 27 December 1772; died there  3 February 1851, received an English education, and engaged in business in Salem, Mass.

     He was a State Senator in 1811, and on  17 December  1814 appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Madison. He held the same office in the Monroe Cabinet, and resigned in November, 1818.

     He was a presidential elector in 1820, again a State Senator in 1822-3, and then elected to Congress as a Democrat from the Salem district, serving from 1 December 1 1823 till 3 March 1831.

     He was a candidate for re-election in 1830, but defeated by Rufus Choate.

[END] 

Related Sources:

One ship named for Benjamin William Crowninshield:

Crowninshield (Destroyer No. 134)