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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
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.
Collaboration is restricted.
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.
Collaboration is restricted.
Research notes: Comparing British, German, Italian, and Austrian battleships
Notes handwritten by Mahan that include a timeline of events between Austria-Hungary and Serbia in July and August 1914, and a comparison of ships held by European nations.
Collaboration is restricted.
Letter to Helen E. Mahan, 1884 Aug 22
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan while at sea on the U.S.S. Wachusett to his daughter, Helen. In this letter Mahan includes books that he would wish her to read during the following winter.
Collaboration is restricted.
Alfred T. Mahan notebook, circa 1880
Collaboration is restricted.
Letter to Helen E. Mahan from Alfred T. Mahan, 1894 Aug 5
Letter written by Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter, Helen E. Mahan while in Antwerp wishing her a happy early 21st birthday.
Fleet Battle Tactics lectures, 1886 Apr-May
Lectures on fleet battle tactics written by Mahan in April and May 1886 for the Naval War College. Mahan notes that these lectures were "never revised."
Mahan letter to Paul Dana, 1899 Nov 6
Letter to Paul Dana, editor New York Sun, New York City, regarding his views on foreign affairs, the Boer War, the Far East, free trade with China, close ties between England and the United States, British Seapower, France and Russia as possible enemies, and the proper course of action for the...
A.T. Mahan letter to Helen E. Mahan, 1893 Jul 25
A personal letter from Mahan to his daughter, Helen.
A.T. Mahan letter to Helen E. Mahan, 1893 Aug 6
Personal letter from Alfred T. Mahan to his daughter Helen.