Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Allen Hobbs (July 30, 1899 – November 23, 1960) was a hydrographer and career officer with the United States Navy. He was assigned as the 32nd Governor of American Samoa from February 8, 1944 to January 27, 1945. In 1948 he was appointed as the Hydographer of the Navy, serving until 1953, when he retired.
Early life and education
Hobbs was born on July 30, 1899 in Lowell, Massachusetts. His mother was a sculptor named Louise (née Allen) Atkins and his father was her first husband, Mr. Hobbs. He grew up with Albert Henry Atkins as his stepfather. His maternal grandfather was Charles Herbert Allen, the first American civilian Governor of Puerto Rico.
After studying science in college, Hobbs joined the U.S. Navy and became a hydrographer with the Naval Hydrographic Office, located in Suitland, Maryland.
Hobbs was appointed as the Governor of American Samoa. (This position was filled by U.S. Naval officers from 1905 to 1951.) He served from February 8, 1944 to January 27, 1945. He was succeeded by Ralph Waldo Hungerford.
On August 30, 1948, Hobbs was appointed as the 35th Hydrographer of the United States Navy, serving until early 1953. This was a position filled by career uniformed personnel from 1870 to 1961.
Later years
On March 1, 1953, Hobbs was placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List. He died on November 23, 1960 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.