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Born at West Point, New York to Dennis Hart Mahan (a professor at the United States Military Academy) and Mary Helena Mahan, he went to Columbia University for two years, then against his parents' wishes, transferred to the Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1859, second in his class. He was soon serving on various ships during the American Civil War.
He was appointed commander of the new United States Naval War College in 1886, where in 1887 he met and befriended a young Theodore Roosevelt who had come to lecture there. During this period Mahan organized his lectures into his most influential books, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783, and The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812, published 1890Events January 2 Alice Sanger becomes the first female staffer for the U. White House. January 25 The United Mine Workers of America is founded. January 25 Nellie Bly completes her round-the-world journey in 72 days. March 1 Leon Bourgeois succeeds Ernest and 1892Events January 1 Ellis Island begins accepting immigrants to the United States. January 14 Death of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, second in line heir to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Next in line is his younger b, respectively.
The books' premise was simple, namely that in the contests between FranceThe French Republic or France ( French: Republique francaise or France is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. and EnglandEngland is the largest, the most populous, and the most densely populated of the four " Home Nations" which make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). Occupying the south-eastern portion of the island of Great Britain, England in the 18th century17th century 18th century 19th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701- 1800; however, historians will sometimes specifically refer to the 18th Century as 1715- 89,, domination of the sea via naval power was the deciding factor in the outcome, and that control of seaborne commerce was critical to domination. Although at the beginning of the 21st century20th century 21st century 22nd century other centuries) Definition In calendars based on the Christian Era or Common Era, such as the Gregorian calendar, the 21st century is the current century, as of this writing, lasting from 2001- 2100. The 21st centur this may seem obvious, it having been demonstrated repeatedly, the notion was much more radical in Mahan's time, especially in a nation entirely obsessed with landward expansion to the west.
His books were received with great acclaim, and closely studied in BritainThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly and GermanyThe Federal Republic of Germany ( German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland is one of the world's leading industrialized countries, located in the middle of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark and the Baltic Sea, to the east, influencing their buildup of forces in the years prior to World War I. Mahan himself was appointed to command the powerful new protected cruiser Chicago on a visit to Europe, where he was received and feted.
He returned to lecture at the War College for another couple of years, then retired in 1896; at which point he wrote voluminously and received honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, and McGill.
Mahan became Rear Admiral in 1906 by an act of Congress promoting all retired captains who had served in the Civil War.