Matthew C. Perry | |
---|---|
Commander of the East India Squadron | |
In office November 20, 1852 – September 6, 1854 | |
Preceded by | John H. Aulick |
Succeeded by | Joel Abbot |
Personal details | |
Born | Matthew Calbraith Perry April 10, 1794[1] Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. |
Died | March 4, 1858 New York City, New York, U.S. | (aged 63)
Spouse | |
Children | 10 |
Parents |
|
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1809–1858 |
Rank | Commodore |
Commands | |
Battles/wars | |
Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 – March 4, 1858) was a United States Navy officer who commanded ships in several wars, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War. He played a leading role in the Perry Expedition that ended Japan's isolationism and the Convention of Kanagawa between Japan and the United States in 1854.
Perry was interested in the education of naval officers and assisted in the development of an apprentice system that helped establish the curriculum at the United States Naval Academy. With the advent of the steam engine, he became a leading advocate of modernizing the U.S. Navy and came to be considered "The Father of the Steam Navy" in the United States.