James Russell Soley

Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on October 1, 1850, he studied at Harvard College and graduated in 1870. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Naval Academy, where he taught and quickly rose to lead the department of English studies, history, and law.

His reputation grew through his writing and historical work on naval subjects. Sources describe him as a teacher, naval writer, historian, and lawyer, and note that he played an important role in collecting and publishing Union and Confederate naval records. In 1890, he became the first appointee to the reestablished office of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, serving until 1893.

After leaving government service, he practiced law in New York. He died on September 11, 1911. Remembered as both a public official and a serious naval historian, he stands out as one of the figures who helped turn U.S. naval history into a field of study in its own right.