Thomas Truxtun
Thomas Truxtun | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Truxtun by Bass Otis, 1817 | |
| Born | February 17, 1755 Hempstead, New York, British America |
| Died | May 5, 1822 (aged 67) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1794–1801 |
| Rank | Commodore (USN) |
| Commands | USS Constellation USS President |
| Battles / wars | American Revolutionary War Quasi-War |
Commodore Thomas Truxtun (February 17, 1755 – May 5, 1822) was a United States Navy officer and politician. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as a privateer. Truxtun eventually rose to the rank of Commodore in the late eighteenth century and later served in the Quasi-War with France. He was one of the first six commanders appointed to the new U.S. Navy by President George Washington. During his naval career he commanded a number of famous U.S. naval ships, including USS Constellation and USS President. Later in civilian life he became involved with politics and was also elected as a sheriff. Six U.S. Navy warships have been named for Truxtun since 1842.