Research Essay – Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur was a brave, tough naval officer whose lively personality encouraged his peers to fight strongly for their country. Born on January 5, 1779, in Sinepuxent, Maryland, Stephen Decatur, who was of Dutch, French, Scottish and Irish bloodlines, grew up in Philadelphia and was surrounded by military leaders, sailors, statesmen, and merchants throughout his early years (De Kay, 9-11). Philadelphia had been the capital of the United States at the time and was a major trade center and seaport with many commercial and cultural ties (De Kay, 10, 14). His father, who was also named Stephen, had a partnership with Gurney & Smith, who were waterfront merchants and ship-owners (De Kay, 9, 11). Because of…show more content… She was the daughter of the 73rd mayor of Norfolk, Virginia, Luke Maybury Wheeler (De Kay, 79, Guttridge, 83-86). After his marriage, he remained in Norfolk, supervising the construction of gunboats at the Norfolk Navy Yard (De Kay, 81). Another major personal event that occurred in Stephen’s life was the duel with Commodore James Barron which resulted in his death on March 22, 1820 (De Kay, 199-207). He served in the navy with Charles Stewart and Richard Somers, who were friends who he met during his education at the Episcopal Academy (Allison, 12). They both joined the navy; Charles Stewart around the year of 1797, and Richard Somers in 1798. Although Charles Stewart was slightly older than Decatur, born in July of 1778, Stephen quickly passed him as he swiftly ascended through the ranks (De Kay, 13-14). Stephen had another good friend, Richard Rush, whom he also met at the Episcopal Academy. Later in life, Richard became a statesmsn and a member of the presidential cabinet (De Kay, 14). Although these relationships played an important role in the forming of Stephen’s fine character, his most influencing relationship was with his father, who helped nurture his son’s love of the
