Museum Collections

The subject was born at Palmyra, New York, the son of James and Hannah (Walker) Sampson. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at the head of his class in 1861 and saw action during the Civil War. Later, in the Spanish-American War, he distinguished himself as commander of the North Atlantic squadron which achieved victory over the Spanish fleet under command of Admiral Cervera. He became a permanent rear admiral in 1899, and from 1899 until his death was commandant of the Boston Navy Yard.