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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, 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...
Collaboration is restricted.
Research notes: Campbell, Lives of British Admirals, vol. 1, undated
Research notes written by Mahan and found in Lives of the British Admirals," volume 1, by John Campbell, a volume in NWC's rare book collection. Bookplate in the book indcates that the copy belonged to Mahan.
Collaboration is restricted.
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.
Collaboration is restricted.
Lecture: Discourse on the Strategic Value of a Point, 1896
Lecture given by Captain A. T. Mahan and the Naval War College in which he stated that the strategic value of any point depended on three principal conditions which included its position, its military strength (offensive and defensive), and the resources of the place itself and the surrounding...
Collaboration is restricted.
Comments on NWC Orange-Blue plan and staff response, 1911 Feb 22 - Mar 17
This item contains comments by AT Mahan on a strategic plan drawn up at the Naval War College regarding the preparedness and abilities of Blue and Orange. Included are the War College's notes about his comments, and Mahan's reply. It also contains personal correspondence between ADM Raymond P....
Collaboration is restricted.
Strategic Problems and List of Questions on Capt. Mahan's works, 1895
List of questions and discussion points based on the works of Captain Mahan and strategic problems from naval history including: the Triple Alliance, Nicaragua Canal, possible war between Japan and Russia, naval administration, naval vs. military strategy, elements of sea-power, and the War of...
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Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1895 Jan 9
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan when in Algiers. In this letter, Mahan explained the history of the Isle of France.
Collaboration is restricted.
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;...
Collaboration is restricted.
Letter to Helen E. Mahan to Alfred T. Mahan, 1894 Jul 27
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan while in Antwerp. In this letter Mahan described how mosquitoes kept him from writing to her sooner and his impressions of Antwerp.
Collaboration is restricted.
Letter to Frederick A. Mahan, 1895 Dec 15
Letter from Alfred T. Mahan to his brother, Frederick A. Mahan in Montgomery, Alabama on 1895 Dec 15. In this letter, A. T. Mahan described his understanding of their brother, Dennis H. Mahan's personal and financial affairs.
Collaboration is restricted.