Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

Richard Henry Dana Jr. (August 1, 1815 - January 6, 1882) was an American lawyer and politician, most famous for his classic book Two Years Before the Mast.

Related Topics:
August 1 - 1815 - January 6 - 1882 - American - Lawyer - Politician - Two Years Before the Mast

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Richard Henry Dana

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was born into one of the first families of Cambridge, Massachusetts, grandson of Francis Dana and attended Harvard College. Rather than going on a Grand Tour of Europe, in 1834 he left Harvard to enlist as a common sailor on a voyage around Cape Horn to the then-remote (and owned by Mexico) California, on the brig Pilgrim, returning to Massachusetts two years later. Having trouble with his vision after a bout of the measles, he thought the trip might help his failing sight.

Related Topics:
Cambridge, Massachusetts - Francis Dana - Harvard College - Grand Tour - 1834 - Sailor - Cape Horn - Mexico - California - Pilgrim - Massachusetts - Measles

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He kept a diary, and after the trip wrote Two Years Before the Mast based on his experiences. The term "before the mast" refers to sailor's quarters -- in the forecastle, in the front of the ship, the officers dwelling near the stern. His writing evidences his later social feeling for the oppressed.

Related Topics:
Diary - Forecastle

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After his sea voyage, he returned to Harvard, completing his education and becoming a famous lawyer, and an expert on maritime law, many times defending common seamen. Later he became a prominent abolitionist, helping to found the anti-slavery Free Soil Party in 1848.

Related Topics:
Maritime law - Abolitionist - Slavery - Free Soil Party - 1848

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He married Edith Longfellow who was the daughter of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He died in Rome.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The point and city of Dana Point, California, located on the Pacific coast about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, is named for him.

Related Topics:
Dana Point, California - Pacific coast - Los Angeles - San Diego

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~