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Help the NWC Archives transcribe the works of Alfred T. Mahan, considered to be the theortical founder of the 20th century Navy, held in their collections.
Mahan had a significant impact on the U.S. Naval War College and naval strategy globally. His theories on the importance of sea power and its influence on global politics reshaped maritime strategy and naval education. Mahan, who served as a lecturer and later as the president of the Naval War College, emphasized the strategic dimensions of naval power and its crucial role in achieving national objectives. His teachings and writings, particularly "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783," became seminal texts for naval officers and strategists worldwide.
The archives at the Naval War College include Alfred Thayer Mahan papers, which document his contributions and enduring influence on naval doctrine and education, as well as his personal and family life. In addition to his lectures, reserach notes, NWC holds many family letter between Mahan and his children and wife. These papers serve as a valuable resource for understanding the development of naval warfare strategy as taught and studied at the College, as well as the the man behind them.
These transcriptions helps scholars, strategists, and enthusiasts around the world access Mahan's professional and personal character, providing insight into the man and his work.
Works
Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1894 Feb 18
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan addressed to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan while in Naples. In this letter, Mahan asks Helen to let her mother know that he is sending his manuscript on Nelson to New York.
Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1894 Nov 17
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan while in Malaga, Spain. In this letter, Mahan explained how monotonous his days have become and that he doesn't expect to be back home before February.
Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1896 Jun 14
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan. In this letter, Mahan included a note for her to read at leisure and used this letter to say a couple of things that are better said by letter while Helen was away from the family in Bar Harbor, Maine. He made some suggestions to...
Research Notes: Data on the War of 1812
Mahan's handwritten research notes on: Niles Register, Nov-Dec 1814; Armstrong War of 1812; Winfield Scott; Report on Canadian Archives; American State Papers, Commerce and Navigation; "Diary of Dr. Usher Parsons of the Lawrences," Rhode Island Historical Society Collection.
Research notes: Stubbs' lectures, 1901
Mahan's handwritten notes on Stubbs: Lectures; Finlay's Greece, Vols. 1-V; Smith's Wealth of Nations, Vol. II; Summary of Neapolitan Affairs, 1494-1504; Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella, Vol. III.
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Research notes: Creighton's Q. Elizabeth, Blok, Table of Dates, Hanse Towns, 1901
Mahan's handwritten notes on: Hilaire Belloc, Living Age, 1900 Dec 15; Creighton, Queen Elizabeth, Bloc III; List of dates, English and French, 1483-1610; Hanse Towns.
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Research Notes: Debates on Constitution, 1901
Mahan's handwritten notes on: Documents Illustrative of American History; Bigelow's Franklin; Egerton, British Colonial Policy; Eliot, Debates on Constitution.
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Research notes: Data for naval strategy lectures, circa 1907-1914
Mahan's notes on: War at sea, strategy and tactics: the doctrine, by Gabriel Darrieus; "Corbett and Mahan;" A Synthesis of Naval Strategy, 1689-1697; Corbett's Seven Years War; Corbett's England in the Mediterranean; Daveluy; "Diplomatic Relations Preceding 7 Years War condensed from Corbett;...
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Lecture: Military Strategy of the Campaign of 1796 in Italy, circa 1887
Includes six lectures on Campaign of 1796 in Italy for application to naval strategy given by Mahan at the Naval War College. Please note that the last line of text is cut off on some of the pages.
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Alfred T. Mahan notebook, circa 1880
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