Benjamin F. Tracy
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Franklin Tracy (April 26, 1830 – August 6, 1915) was a United States
political figure
who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1889 through 1893, during the administration of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison
.
on April 26, 1830. Tracy was a lawyer active in Republican Party politics during the 1850s. During the Civil War
, he commanded the 109th New York Infantry Regiment. He was awarded a Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Battle of the Wilderness
on May 6, 1864. According to the official citation, Tracy "seized the colors and led the regiment when other regiments had retired and then reformed his line and held it." Later that year, he became commandant of the Elmira
prisoner of war camp. Tracy was discharged from the volunteer service on June 13, 1865. On January 18, 1867, President
Andrew Johnson
nominated Tracy for appointment to the brevet
grade of brigadier general
of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 21, 1867.
He resumed the practice of law after the war, and became active in New York state politics. He was United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
from 1866 to 1877. In December 1881, he was appointed by Governor Alonzo B. Cornell
to the New York Court of Appeals
to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Judge Charles Andrews
as Chief Judge
after the resignation of Charles J. Folger
. Tracy remained on the bench until the end of 1882 when Andrews resumed his seat after being defeated by William C. Ruger
in the election for Chief Judge.
Tracy was noted for his role in the creation of the "New Navy", a major reform of the service
, which had fallen into obsolescence after the Civil War
. Like President Harrison, he supported a naval strategy focused more on offense, rather than on coastal defense and commerce raiding. A major ally in this effort was naval theorist Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
, who had served as a professor at the new Naval War College
(founded 1884). In 1890, Mahan published his major work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783—a book that achieved an international readership. Drawing on historical examples, Mahan supported the construction of a "blue-water Navy" that could do battle on the high seas.
Tracy also supported the construction of modern warships. On June 30, 1890, Congress passed the Navy Bill, a measure which authorized the construction of three battleship
s. The first three were later named , , and . The battleship was authorized two years later.
Tracy's wife and child had perished in a fire at their residence in Washington, DC in 1890.
After leaving the Navy Department, Tracy again took up his legal practice. In 1896, he defended New York City Police Commissioner Andrew Parker against Commission President Theodore Roosevelt's accusations of negligence and incompetence, in a performance that significantly embarrassed Roosevelt. (ref. Edmund Morris, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 555) He also helped negotiate a settlement to the boundary dispute between Venezuela
and Great Britain
which had culminated in the Venezuela Crisis of 1895
.
Tracy was the Republican candidate to be the first Mayor of Greater New York City
when the five boroughs consolidated in 1898. He came in third behind Democrat Robert A. Van Wyck
and Seth Low
of the Citizens' Union
, winning 101,863 of the 523,560 votes cast in the election of 1897.
Tracy died at his farm in Tioga County, New York
on August 6, 1915 at 3:30 am at the home of his daughter.
.
Tracy Arm is a fjord in the U.S. state of Alaska
that bears his name.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political figure
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1889 through 1893, during the administration of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
.
Biography
He was born in the hamlet of Apalachin located in the Town of Owego, New YorkOwego, New York
Owego, New York is the name of two locations in Tioga County, New York:*Owego , New York*Owego , New York...
on April 26, 1830. Tracy was a lawyer active in Republican Party politics during the 1850s. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he commanded the 109th New York Infantry Regiment. He was awarded a Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Battle of the Wilderness
Battle of the Wilderness
The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–7, 1864, was the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Both armies suffered heavy casualties, a harbinger of a bloody war of attrition by...
on May 6, 1864. According to the official citation, Tracy "seized the colors and led the regiment when other regiments had retired and then reformed his line and held it." Later that year, he became commandant of the Elmira
Elmira Prison
Elmira Prison was a prisoner-of-war camp constructed by the Union Army in Elmira, New York, during the American Civil War to house captive Confederate soldiers....
prisoner of war camp. Tracy was discharged from the volunteer service on June 13, 1865. On January 18, 1867, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
nominated Tracy for appointment to the brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
grade of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on February 21, 1867.
He resumed the practice of law after the war, and became active in New York state politics. He was United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York is the chief federal law enforcement officer in five New York counties: Kings , Queens, Richmond , Nassau and Suffolk. The current incumbent is Loretta E. Lynch, who was appointed by President Barack Obama on January 20, 2010,...
from 1866 to 1877. In December 1881, he was appointed by Governor Alonzo B. Cornell
Alonzo B. Cornell
Alonzo Barton Cornell was a New York politician and businessman who served as 27th Governor of New York from 1880 to 1882.-Early years:...
to the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Judge Charles Andrews
Charles Andrews (judge)
Charles Andrews was an American Lawyer and politician. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1881 to 1882 and from 1892 to 1897....
as Chief Judge
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals refers to the position of chief judge on the New York Court of Appeals.The chief judge supervises the seven-judge Court of Appeals...
after the resignation of Charles J. Folger
Charles J. Folger
Charles James Folger was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1881 until his death.-Early life:...
. Tracy remained on the bench until the end of 1882 when Andrews resumed his seat after being defeated by William C. Ruger
William C. Ruger
William Crawford Ruger was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1883 until his death.-Life:He was the son of Sophia Ruger and John Ruger William Crawford Ruger (January 30, 1824 Bridgewater, Oneida County, New York - January 14,...
in the election for Chief Judge.
Tracy was noted for his role in the creation of the "New Navy", a major reform of the service
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, which had fallen into obsolescence after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Like President Harrison, he supported a naval strategy focused more on offense, rather than on coastal defense and commerce raiding. A major ally in this effort was naval theorist Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan was a United States Navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called "the most important American strategist of the nineteenth century." His concept of "sea power" was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide...
, who had served as a professor at the new Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
(founded 1884). In 1890, Mahan published his major work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783—a book that achieved an international readership. Drawing on historical examples, Mahan supported the construction of a "blue-water Navy" that could do battle on the high seas.
Tracy also supported the construction of modern warships. On June 30, 1890, Congress passed the Navy Bill, a measure which authorized the construction of three battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
s. The first three were later named , , and . The battleship was authorized two years later.
Tracy's wife and child had perished in a fire at their residence in Washington, DC in 1890.
After leaving the Navy Department, Tracy again took up his legal practice. In 1896, he defended New York City Police Commissioner Andrew Parker against Commission President Theodore Roosevelt's accusations of negligence and incompetence, in a performance that significantly embarrassed Roosevelt. (ref. Edmund Morris, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 555) He also helped negotiate a settlement to the boundary dispute between Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
which had culminated in the Venezuela Crisis of 1895
Venezuela Crisis of 1895
The Venezuela Crisis of 1895 occurred over Venezuela's longstanding dispute with the United Kingdom about the territory of Guayana Esequiba, which Britain claimed as part of British Guiana and Venezuela saw as Venezuelan territory...
.
Tracy was the Republican candidate to be the first Mayor of Greater New York City
History of New York City (1898-1945)
The history of New York City began with the formation of the consolidated city of the five boroughs in 1898. New transportation links, most notably the New York City Subway, first opened 1904, helped bind the new city together. Increased European immigration brought social upheaval...
when the five boroughs consolidated in 1898. He came in third behind Democrat Robert A. Van Wyck
Robert Anderson Van Wyck
Robert Anderson Van Wyck, was the first mayor of New York City after the consolidation of the five boroughs into the City of New York in 1898.-Biography:...
and Seth Low
Seth Low
Seth Low , born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City...
of the Citizens' Union
Citizens Union
Citizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
, winning 101,863 of the 523,560 votes cast in the election of 1897.
Tracy died at his farm in Tioga County, New York
Tioga County, New York
As of the census of 2010, there were 51,125 people residing in the county, with 22,203 housing units, of these 20,350 occupied, 1,853 vacant. The population density was 98 people per square mile...
on August 6, 1915 at 3:30 am at the home of his daughter.
Namesake
was named for him, as was the town of Tracyton, WashingtonTracyton, Washington
Tracyton is a census-designated place in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. Its population was 5,233 at the 2010 census. Tracyton was named for 19th century Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F...
.
Tracy Arm is a fjord in the U.S. state of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
that bears his name.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T–Z
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
Further reading
- Cooling, Benjamin F. Benjamin Franklin Tracy, Father of the American Fighting Navy. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1973.