Joshua Barney: Hero of the Revolution and 1812

Little has been published about the life of Baltimore’s Commodore Joshua Barney, a man who earned a commission in the nascent Continental Navy, sailed as a privateer, and served as a commodore in both the French and American navies. Louis Norton’s biography scrutinizes Barney’s colorful life and critically analyzes events that forged his character. Although largely forgotten, he was one of the most clever, competent officers of the American sailing navy. Based on primary and secondary sources, this biography contains many of Barney’s quotes and some charming contemporaneous verse written about him that describes the changing fortunes of his life.

A natural seaman and leader with extraordinary courage, Barney took part in thirty-five Revolutionary War naval engagements and was imprisoned three times, but escaped twice using resourceful disguises. In his later years Barney became a national hero defending the Chesapeake during the War of 1812. Author Norton elaborates on Barney’s remarkable history with the American flag: he was among the first to use it for naval recruitment, sailed under the banner on the first American vessel to receive a cannon salute from a foreign nation, and carried the stars and stripes into the French National Assembly as the new republic received American diplomatic recognition. Finally the commodore served on the committee that ordered the Fort McHenry flag which became the Star Spangled Banner. With this fascinating biography, Norton has polished Joshua Barney’s image to the brighter luster that many historians believe it deserves.