Background
Brownson, Willard Herbert was born on July 8, 1845 in Lyons, New York, United States. Son of Morton and Harriet (Taft) Brownson.
Brownson, Willard Herbert was born on July 8, 1845 in Lyons, New York, United States. Son of Morton and Harriet (Taft) Brownson.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1865.
Served in flagship North. Atlantic squadron, 1865-1868, Pacific station, 1868-1871, Naval Academy, 1872-1875. Coast survey, Str. Blake, deep sea investigation. 1882-1884; inspector hydrography, 1885-1889.
Commanding Petrel, 1889-1891, Dolphin, 1892, Detroit, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during revolution, 1893-1894.
Commandant cadets Naval Academy, 1894. Board of inspection and survey, 1896-1898.
Commanding Yankee during war with Spain. Captain, March 3, 1899.
Commanding Alabama, 1900-1902.
Superintendent United States Naval Academy, November 6, 1902-June 1, 1906. Rear admiral, May 6, 1905. Commanded 4th division Atlantic Fleet, July 8-August 15, 1906.
Commanded special service squadron, August 15-October 15, 1906.
Commander in chief Asiatic Fleet, October 15, 1906-April 1, 1907. Appointed chief, bureau of Navigation, May 20, 1907.
Retired July 8, 1907, but kept on active duty by order of President. Home: Washington, Distric.
Served in flagship North. Atlantic squadron, 1865-1868, Pacific station, 1868-1871, Naval Academy, 1872-1875.
Married Isabella King Roberts, July 10, 1872. Children: Roswell Roberts, Mistress Harriet Hussey, Mistress Caroline Hart.