Who was Alfred Thayer Mahan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 74

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Ellen Lyle Evans (m. 1872)

father: Dennis Hart Mahan

mother: Mary Helena Mahan

Born Country: United States

Military Leaders American Men

Died on: December 1, 1914

place of death: Washington, D.C., United States

Cause of Death: Heart Failure

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Columbia College, Saint James School, United States Naval Academy

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Childhood & Early Life

Alfred Thayer Mahan was born on September 27, 1840 at West Point, New York. His father, Dennis Hart Mahan, was a military theorist and civil engineer. At the time of Alfred’s birth, he was a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

His mother’s name was Mary Helena Okill Mahan. Born one of his parents five children, he had at least two surviving brothers, Capt. Frederick A. Mahan and Dennis Hart Mahan, Jr.

In 1856, Alfred Thayer Mahan graduated from Saint James School in Maryland and entered Columbia College, New York. While studying there, he met future president, Jefferson Davis, who encouraged him to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

On September 30, 1856, against his father’s advice, he entered US Naval Academy as acting Midshipman and graduated from there, second in his class, on June 9, 1859. For the next two years, he served as a Midshipman on the USS Congress, which was stationed at Callao, Peru.

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Early Career

On August 31, 1861, Alfred Thayer Mahan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to USS James Adger. By then the American Civil War had set off and within 10 days, he was reassigned to USS Pocahontas, a screw gunboat belonging to the South American Blockading Squadron.

In 1861, he was transferred to the Naval Academy, at that time located at NewPort, Rhode Island, where he was assigned to teach seamanship. However, he was not very successful in that and returned to shipping duty as First lieutenant on the USS Macedonian in 1863.

On June 7, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and assigned to "double-ender" steam gunboat USS Mucoota.

For the next 20 years, he remained active both on sea and on land. He became commander in 1872 and Captain in 1885.

Alfred Thayer Mahan served at Washington Navy Yard in 1866, at New York Navy Yard in 1870-77, at Boston Navy Yard in 1875-76, at Naval Academy in 1877-80 and again at New York Navy Yard in 1880-83. In between, he was on sea duty, commanding USS Wachusett of South Pacific Squadron in 1883-1885.

Naval War College & Authorship

In 1883, while serving in the New York Naval Yard, Alfred Thayer Mahan published his first book, ‘The Gulf and Inland Waters’. The book, based on the American Civil War, might have influenced the authorities in appointing him as a lecturer in the Naval College two years later

In 1885, Mahan was appointed as a professor in naval history and tactics at the Naval War College. However, he joined his duty in 1886, spending the previous year preparing his lectures on the influence of sea power at the instruction of College President Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce.

On June 22, 1886, as Rear Admiral Luce went away on sea duty, Mahan became the de-facto president of the Naval College, serving in this capacity till January 12, 1889. Thereafter, he went on a special duty at the Bureau of Navigation, remaining there till 1892.

On July 22, 1892, Alfred Thayer Mahan returned to the Naval College to serve until May 10, 1893. Meanwhile he published two important books 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660–1783' (1890) and ‘The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793–1812’ (1892).

In 1893, he returned to the sea, commanding USS Chicago, cruising in European and Mediterranean waters as flagship of the European station. On his return to the American shore 20 March 1895, he was assigned to special duty in connection with Naval War College.

Retirement & Later Life

On November 17, 1896, Alfred Thayer Mahan voluntarily retired from active service. However, he remained attached to the US Navy, being engaged in special duties till 1912, sitting on the Naval War Board in 1898, attending Peace Conference in The Hague as US Naval Delegate in 1899.

After his retirement, he began to write prolifically, publishing works like ‘The Life of Nelson’ (1897), ‘Lessons of the War with Spain.’ (1899), ‘Problems of Asia’ (1900), ‘Retrospect and Prospect’ (1902). In 1905, he published another important work, ‘Sea Power in its Relations to the War of 1812’ (2 Vol.)

On November 17, 1906, he was made a Rear Admiral, along with other retired captains who had served during the American Civil War, by a Congressional Act. Meanwhile, he continued to write and published ‘Naval Administration and Warfare’ in 1908.

His other works include ‘The Harvest Within’ (1909), ‘The Interest of America in International Conditions’ (1910), ‘Armaments and Arbitration’ (1912) and ‘Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence’ (1913). That apart, he also wrote many biographical sketches and interpretative articles on contemporary events.

Major Works

Alfred Thayer Mahan is best known for his 1890 book, 'The Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660–1783'. Considered the most influential book in naval strategy, it discusses necessary factors required for achieving naval supremacy. The policies discussed therein were quickly adopted by most nations and the book remains equally relevant to this day.

Awards & Achievements

Alfred Thayer Mahan received Civil War Campaign Medal for his service in the American Civil war and Spanish Campaign Medal for his contribution in the Spanish-American War.

Family & Personal Life

In June 1872, Alfred Thayer Mahan married Ellen Lyle Evans. They had three surviving children; two daughters named Helen Evans Mahan and Ellen Kuhn Mahan; and a son named Lyle Evans Mahan.

Alfred Thayer Mahan died of heart failure on December 1, 1914, in Washington, at the age of 74.

In recognition of his service, four US naval ships have been named after him. Among them, USS Mahan (DD-102/DM-7) was commissioned in 1918, USS Mahan (DD-364) in 1936, USS Mahan (DLG-11/DDG-42) in 1975 and USS Mahan (DDG-7) in 1998.

A US. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit in Albany has been named in his honor and so have Mahan Hall in United States Naval Academy and Naval War College. Mahan Road in now disestablished Naval Ordnance Laboratory also bears his legacy.

Alfred Thayer Mahan Biography