Adolph E. Borie

Adolph Borie
25th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office
March 9, 1869 – June 25, 1869
PresidentUlysses S. Grant
Preceded byGideon Welles
Succeeded byGeorge M. Robeson
Personal details
Born
Adolph Edward Borie

(1809-11-25)November 25, 1809
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 5, 1880(1880-02-05) (aged 70)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeLaurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyWhig (Before 1854)
Republican (1854–1880)
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (BA)

Adolph Edward Borie (November 25, 1809 – February 5, 1880) was a United States merchant and politician who briefly served (1869) as Secretary of the Navy in the Ulysses S. Grant administration.

A native of Philadelphia, Borie was born into the successful mercantile trade business of his father. When the Civil War broke out, Borie became a close associate to General Ulysses S. Grant. Early in Grant's presidential administration, Borie served as Navy Secretary for a few months before stepping down, citing frail health. As Navy Secretary, Borie controversially renamed many naval ships, enforced full pay for an eight-hour work day, and desegregated the Washington Navy Yard, allowing African Americans to freely work alongside whites. He accompanied Grant on his 1877-79 world tour.

Borie died on February 5, 1880, and is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Two U.S. warships have been named USS Borie.