Benjamin Stoddert 1751 – 1813

Biography

Benjamin Stoddert was born on January 1, 1751, in Charles County, Maryland, during a formative period in American colonial history. He would go on to serve his young nation in a role of considerable importance and responsibility, dedicating himself to the service of the United States during its early years as an independent nation.

Stoddert’s most significant contribution came through his work as Secretary of the Navy, a position in which he played a vital role in establishing and developing the maritime strength of the fledgling republic. His service during this critical period helped shape the naval institutions and policies that would define American power projection for generations to come.

On December 13, 1813, Stoddert passed away in Bladensburg, Maryland, at the age of sixty-two. He was laid to rest at Addison Chapel Cemetery in Prince George’s County, where his final resting place remains a testament to his life of public service. Benjamin Stoddert’s legacy endures as part of the foundational history of the United States Navy and the nation’s early administrative structures.