Benjamin F. Tracy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Tracy
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| 32nd United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office March 6, 1889 – March 4, 1893 |
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| President | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | William Whitney |
| Succeeded by | Hilary A. Herbert |
| United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York | |
| In office 1866–1877 |
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| President | Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Benjamin D. Silliman |
| Succeeded by | Asa W. Tenney |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the Tioga County district |
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| In office January 1, 1862 – December 31, 1862 |
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| Preceded by | Cero Barber |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Franklin Tracy
April 26, 1830 Apalachin, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 6, 1915 (aged 85) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Signature | .png) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States• Union |
| Branch/service |  United States Army• Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands | 109th New York Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of the Wilderness |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Benjamin Franklin Tracy (born April 26, 1830 – died August 6, 1915) was an important United States political leader. He served as the United States Secretary of the Navy from 1889 to 1893. This was during the time Benjamin Harrison was U.S. President.
Contents
Early Life and Civil War Hero
Benjamin Tracy was born in a small town called Apalachin, New York, on April 26, 1830. He became a lawyer and was active in the Republican Party in the 1850s. In 1862, he was a member of the New York State Assembly.
During the Civil War, Tracy joined the Union Army. He led the 109th New York Infantry Regiment. In May 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness, his leadership was amazing. He managed to gather his soldiers and hold their position against the enemy. For his brave actions, he was given the Medal of Honor. This award is the highest military honor in the United States. His award said he "seized the colors and led the regiment when other regiments had retired and then reformed his line and held it."
Later in 1864, he became the leader of the Elmira prisoner of war camp. He left the volunteer army in June 1865. In 1867, he was given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general.
After the war, Tracy went back to being a lawyer. He also became very involved in New York state politics. From 1866 to 1877, he was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Benjamin Tracy is most remembered for his work as United States Secretary of the Navy. He helped create the "New Navy." Before this, the U.S. Navy had become quite old and weak after the Civil War. Tracy, like President Harrison, believed the Navy needed to be strong enough to attack, not just defend the coast.
A key helper in this effort was Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan. Mahan was a professor at the new Naval War College. In 1890, Mahan wrote a very famous book called The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783. This book was read all over the world. Mahan's ideas helped Tracy push for building a "blue-water Navy." This meant building powerful ships that could fight battles far out at sea.
Tracy strongly supported building modern warships. In 1890, Congress passed a law to build three new battleships. These first three powerful ships were named USS Indiana (BB-1), USS Massachusetts (BB-2), and USS Oregon (BB-3). Two years later, another battleship, USS Iowa (BB-4), was also approved.
Sadly, in 1890, Tracy's wife and child died in a fire at their home in Washington, DC.
After leaving the Navy Department, Tracy returned to his law practice. In 1896, he helped Venezuela settle a border dispute with Great Britain. This helped end a disagreement known as the Venezuela Crisis of 1895.
In 1898, Tracy ran to be the first Mayor of Greater New York City. This was when the five boroughs of New York City joined together. He came in third place in that election.
Family and Death
Benjamin Tracy passed away at his farm in Tioga County, New York on August 6, 1915. He was 85 years old.
Namesake
Several things have been named after Benjamin Tracy:
- The ship USS Tracy (DD-214) was named in his honor.
- The town of Tracyton, Washington also bears his name.
- Tracy Arm, a beautiful fjord in Alaska, is named after him.
- The Tracy Glacier in Greenland was named after him by explorer Robert Peary.
