David Glasgow Farragut was born 5 July 1801 at Campbell’s Station near Knoxville, Tennessee and entered the Navy as midshipman in 1810.

At age 12, he was given command of a prize ship taken by Essex, an early indication of ability and devotion to duty that led to the creation of the rank of admiral, not previously used in the US Navy, for his accomplishments in the Civil War including opening the lower Mississippi River and Mobile Bay.

Later commanding the European Squadron, he died 14 August 1870 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.