Background
Parker, William Harwar was born on October 8, 1826 in New York City. Son of Foxhall Alexander and Sara (Bogardus) Parker.
Parker, William Harwar was born on October 8, 1826 in New York City. Son of Foxhall Alexander and Sara (Bogardus) Parker.
Graduate (1st in class) United States Naval Academy, 1848.
Served from midshipman to Lieutenant United States Navy, 1841-1861. Served in Mexican War. Instructor United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland., 1853-1857, 60-61.
Translated Tactique Navale from French.
Joined Confederate Navy, took command gunboat Beaufort Roanoke Island, 1862. Executive officer in ironclad Palmetto State at Charleston, winter 1862-1863.
Promoted captain 1863. Organizer, superintendent Confederate Naval Academy, 1863-1865 (on evacuation of Richmond, Virginia he and his cadets were given charge of government archives and treasure).
Captain Pacific mail steamer between Panama and San Francisco, 1865-1874.
President Maryland. Agricultural College, 1875-1883. United States minister to of Korea in Cleveland’s administration, 1886.
Author: Instructions for Light Naval Artillery, 1862.
Elements of Seamanship, 1864. Remarks on the Navigation of the Coasts between San Francisco and Panama, 1871. Recollections of a Naval Officer 1841-1865, published 1883.
Served from midshipman to Lieutenant United States Navy, 1841-1861.
Married Margaret Griffin, December 14, 1853.