John Paul Jones - Scottish American Sailor, Facts and Family
John Paul Jones's Personal Details
Scottish-American sailor, John Paul Jones was the greatest naval commander in the American Revolutionary War
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 6, 1747 |
| Died on | July 18, 1792 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Leaders, Miscellaneous, Scottish American Sailor |
| Known as | 约翰·保罗·琼斯 |
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Kirkcudbrightshire |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Kirkcudbrightshire |
| Famous as | Scottish American Sailor |
| Died at Age | 45 |
John Paul Jones's photo
Who is John Paul Jones?
John Paul Jones was a Scottish-American sailor who is best remembered for his bold acts during the American Revolution for fighting the British warships in the eastern waters of England. His victory over the British troops brought him international recognition as a distinguished American naval hero. He started his career at sea as an adventure-filled seafarer and went on to become colonial America’s first sea warrior. As commander of the ‘Bonhomme Richard’, his daring naval feats have secured him a place in the US history. His brave and courageous battles brought him into limelight as the founder of America’s naval tradition. During his over 30-year old sailing career, he commanded various naval vessels and shot down a large number of enemy ships, thus securing their belongings and bringing them home. He was highly acclaimed by the French authorities for his actions and was honored with the prestigious title ‘Chevalier’, along with a golden sword. Besides his service in the American navy, he later joined the Imperial Russian Navy, though his tenure wasn’t very satisfying. Today, he is fondly known as the ‘Father of the American Navy’
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Childhood & Early Life
John Paul Jones was born as John Paul on July 6, 1747 in Arbigland estate, Kirkcudbrightshire, southwest Scotland, to John Paul, Sr. and Jean McDuff. His father was a gardener.
He started his career at sea at the age of 13, as a ship’s boy on ‘Friendship’ under a Scottish ship owner, John Younger, when he sailed off to Virginia and visited his elder brother, William, at Fredericksburg.
For the next 14 years, he sailed on various merchant and slave ships, between Britain, Virginia and West Indies, learning the tactics of sea-sailing.
Career
In 1764, John Paul Jones was hired as third mate on ‘King George’ and was later promoted as first mate on ‘Two Friends’ in 1766. However, he began hating the slave trade despite the job being lucrative and quit to join ‘John’ in 1768.
While on his voyage from Jamaica to Scotland, tragedy struck the vessel when the captain and ranking mate died of yellow fever en-route. John Paul Jones sailed the ship back to port safely and was promoted as captain. As captain, he led two trips to West Indies.
In 1770, he severely flogged one of the sailors who died a few weeks later. This resulted in his arrest and imprisonment. He was released later, but the incident had a very bad impact on his flourishing career.
In 1773, he was forced to kill the ringleader of a mutinous crew, in self-defense, after which he fled to Fredericksburg, Virginia to escape trial.
When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, he traveled to Philadelphia and joined the brand-new Continental Navy as first lieutenant on the warship ‘Alfred’.
During his journey aboard ‘Alfred’ to the Bahamas under Commodore Esek Hopkins, he was honored to hoist the Grand Union Flag and was soon, handed over the command of the sloop ‘Providence’.
In August 1776, he started his six-week voyage aboard ‘Providence’, sailing through the Atlantic from Bermuda to Nova Scotia, where he captured 16 British vessels.
He took charge of ‘Alfred’ as captain in November 1776 and cruised to Nova Scotia winning several prizes and acquiring winter clothing for American prisoners captured in coal mines there.
As a result of a feud with his superior, Commodore Hopkins, he was given command of the new sloop-of-war ‘Ranger’ and sailed through the Irish Sea and St. George’s Channel, taking up several prizes, in November 1777.
He took command of a 42-gun frigate, ‘Bonhomme Richard’ (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin), in September 1779, along with four other ships and two privateers, to invade England, in the Battle of Flamborough Head.
After three-and-half hours battle of guns, he defeated the 50-gun British frigate ‘HMS Serapi’s and the 22-gun hired ship ‘Countess of Scarborough’. With the Bonhomme Richard badly damaged, he boarded the Serapis and sailed to Holland with the Countess as prizes.
At the end of the American War, he was discharged and soon joined the Russian navy under Empress Catherine II in 1787. He served in the Russo-Turkish War for a brief period during 1788-89 and then discharged.
He authored the book ‘Narrative of the Campaign of the Liman’ while serving in the Russian navy.
His tenure in Russia was highly disappointing with false accusation and no recognition on his career graph. Thereafter, he returned to Paris in 1790 for the remaining of his life.
Awards & Achievements
In 1787, John Paul Jones was honored with a decoration of ‘I’Institution du Merite Militaire’ and a gold-hilted sword, along with the title ‘Chevalier John Paul Jones’, by French King Louis XVI.
He was made the Order of St. Anne by the Russian Duke in 1788
Personal Life & Legacy
John Paul Jones’ health deteriorated continuously while staying in Paris and he died on July 18, 1792 due to interstitial nephritis.
He was laid to rest at Saint Louis Cemetery, following a small procession comprising of friends, servants and loyal family.
In 1905, after more than a century later, his remains were found and brought to America by US warships, where he was buried with full honors at the Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, in 1913, which now stands as a national shrine.
Trivia
He added ‘Jones’ to his name, believed to be adopted from Willie Jones of Halifax, California, when he went to America to escape the trial of a murder he had committed in 1773.
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John Paul Jones biography timelines
- // 6th Jul 1747John Paul Jones was born as John Paul on July 6, 1747 in Arbigland estate, Kirkcudbrightshire, southwest Scotland, to John Paul, Sr. and Jean McDuff. His father was a gardener.
- // 1764 To 1768In 1764, John Paul Jones was hired as third mate on ‘King George’ and was later promoted as first mate on ‘Two Friends’ in 1766. However, he began hating the slave trade despite the job being lucrative and quit to join ‘John’ in 1768.
- // 1770In 1770, he severely flogged one of the sailors who died a few weeks later. This resulted in his arrest and imprisonment. He was released later, but the incident had a very bad impact on his flourishing career.
- // 1773In 1773, he was forced to kill the ringleader of a mutinous crew, in self-defense, after which he fled to Fredericksburg, Virginia to escape trial.
- // 1773He added ‘Jones’ to his name, believed to be adopted from Willie Jones of Halifax, California, when he went to America to escape the trial of a murder he had committed in 1773.
- // 1775When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, he traveled to Philadelphia and joined the brand-new Continental Navy as first lieutenant on the warship ‘Alfred’.
- // Aug 1776In August 1776, he started his six-week voyage aboard ‘Providence’, sailing through the Atlantic from Bermuda to Nova Scotia, where he captured 16 British vessels.
- // Nov 1776He took charge of ‘Alfred’ as captain in November 1776 and cruised to Nova Scotia winning several prizes and acquiring winter clothing for American prisoners captured in coal mines there.
- // Nov 1777As a result of a feud with his superior, Commodore Hopkins, he was given command of the new sloop-of-war ‘Ranger’ and sailed through the Irish Sea and St. George’s Channel, taking up several prizes, in November 1777.
- // Sep 1779He took command of a 42-gun frigate, ‘Bonhomme Richard’ (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin), in September 1779, along with four other ships and two privateers, to invade England, in the Battle of Flamborough Head.
- // 1787 To 1789At the end of the American War, he was discharged and soon joined the Russian navy under Empress Catherine II in 1787. He served in the Russo-Turkish War for a brief period during 1788-89 and then discharged.
- // 1787In 1787, John Paul Jones was honored with a decoration of ‘I’Institution du Merite Militaire’ and a gold-hilted sword, along with the title ‘Chevalier John Paul Jones’, by French King Louis XVI.
- // 1788He was made the Order of St. Anne by the Russian Duke in 1788
- // 1790His tenure in Russia was highly disappointing with false accusation and no recognition on his career graph. Thereafter, he returned to Paris in 1790 for the remaining of his life.
- // 18th Jul 1792John Paul Jones’ health deteriorated continuously while staying in Paris and he died on July 18, 1792 due to interstitial nephritis.
- // 1905 To 1913In 1905, after more than a century later, his remains were found and brought to America by US warships, where he was buried with full honors at the Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, in 1913, which now stands as a national shrine.
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John Paul Jones's FAQ
What is John Paul Jones birthday?
John Paul Jones was born at 1747-07-06
When was John Paul Jones died?
John Paul Jones was died at 1792-07-18
Where was John Paul Jones died?
John Paul Jones was died in Paris
Which age was John Paul Jones died?
John Paul Jones was died at age 45
Where is John Paul Jones's birth place?
John Paul Jones was born in Kirkcudbrightshire
What is John Paul Jones nationalities?
John Paul Jones's nationalities is American
Which company or organization was founded by John Paul Jones?
John Paul Jones was the founder/co-founder of United States Navy
What is John Paul Jones's sun sign?
John Paul Jones is Cancer
How famous is John Paul Jones?
John Paul Jones is famouse as Scottish American Sailor