author
William Oliver Stevens
1878–1955
A teacher, historian, and prolific writer, he moved easily between naval history, American places, and even the unusual world of psychical research. His work reflects a wide curiosity and a gift for making serious subjects approachable.
1 Audiobook
A History of Sea Power
by William Oliver Stevens, Allan F. (Allan Ferguson) Westcott
About the author
Born in Rangoon, Burma, on October 7, 1878, William Oliver Stevens grew up in a family shaped by education and writing. He studied at Colby College and Yale University, then went on to a career as both an educator and author.
Stevens taught for many years and is especially associated with the United States Naval Academy. He wrote across a striking range of subjects, including naval history, regional history, fiction for younger readers, and studies of psychical research, showing how broad his interests were.
He also served as the first headmaster of Cranbrook School in Michigan, adding school leadership to his academic and literary work. He died on January 15, 1955, leaving behind a substantial body of writing that joined scholarship with a clear, readable style.