Quick Facts
Biography
Samuel Barron (September 25, 1765 – November 10, 1810) was a United States Navy officer. He was an older brother of Commodore James Barron, also a US Navy officer.
Early life
Samuel Barron was born in Hampton, Virginia, the son of a merchant captain named James Barron who became Commodore of the tiny Virginia State Navy during the American Revolution. Barron studied at William and Mary College, and received his early training at sea from his father. He became a midshipman on the frigate Dragon and served in the Virginia Navy during the latter part of the Revolutionary War. After a number of years as a merchant captain, he joined the fledgling United States Navy.
Military career
In 1798, Barron was placed in command of the Augusta and took part in the Quasi-War with France. During the First Barbary War, he commanded the President and relieved Edward Preble near Tripoli. In 1805 he turned over command of his squadron to John Rodgers and returned to the United States due to poor health. He was then assigned command of the Gosport Shipyard in Virginia. His health never fully recovered and Commodore Samuel Barron died in 1810 at the age of 45.
Samuel Barron's son, Samuel Barron (1809–1888), served with distinction in the United States Navy, until he resigned his commission in April 1861 to join the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War.