John Pendleton Kennedy

Born in Baltimore in 1795, he studied law, served in the War of 1812, and was admitted to the bar in 1816. Alongside his legal work, he became known as a novelist and essayist with a strong interest in American history, regional life, and the young nation’s identity.

His best-known books include Swallow Barn, a vivid portrait of Virginia life, and Horse-Shoe Robinson, a Revolutionary War novel that helped build his reputation. He also played an important part in the literary career of Edgar Allan Poe by supporting the publication of Poe’s early work.

Public service ran alongside his writing career. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates, represented Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was Secretary of the Navy under President Millard Fillmore from 1852 to 1853. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1870.