Lincoln's Tragic Admiral: The Life of Samuel Francis Du Pont
by Kevin J. Weddle

List Price: $34.95  Hardback: 296 Pages
Publish Date: May 26, 2005

Review by Brian Williams  

Lincoln's Tragic Admiral: The Life of Samuel Francis Du Pont by Kevin J. Weddle is a wonderful biography of US Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont.  Du Pont is best-known for his failed ironclad assault on Charleston on April 7, 1863.  This book examines key documents from his life and career to give the reader not only a complete biography of the admiral, but also an excellent insight into Civil War and pre-Civil War operations.

This book is, of course, a biography of Du Pont. And, because he joined the US Navy in 1815, we follow his career from the fledgling post-War of 1812 navy to the height of the Civil War.  The gives the reader an excellent insight into our nation's early coastal fortifications development, the evolution of coastal strategy, naval modernization, blockading techniques and eventually full-scale wartime naval operations during the Civil War.  Fittingly, only a small section of the book is devoted to the actual assault, since up until that point, Du Pont had served admirably in the US Navy for decades.

As mentioned above, of particular interest is reading about the Navy's evolution.  One realizes that the contemporary concepts of the modern US Navy were non-existent up until that point.  This includes a national military naval academy and merit-based promotions -- both of which Du Pont passionately supported. 

Kevin Weddle authors a wonderful biography of Du Pont while capturing the tribulations and frustrations of the young US Navy.  The subsequent 'downfall' of Du Pont and the reasons for it are explained with great care and detail.  Indeed, one cannot help but feel a connection with Du Pont and his circumstances.  Du Pont is a man of convictions -- even when those convictions help bring about the end to his career.

I highly recommend this book and especially to anyone interested in the American Civil War and pre-Civil War naval operations. 

Review by Brian Williams (militaryhistoryonline@hotmail.com)