Esek Hopkins
Esek Hopkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 26, 1718 Scituate, Rhode Island, British America |
| Died | February 26, 1802 (aged 83) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Buried | North Burial Ground, Providence |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | Privateer Continental Navy |
| Service years | 1754–1763 (privateer) 1775–1778 (Continental Navy) |
| Rank | Captain (Privateer) Commodore (Continental Navy) |
| Conflicts | French and Indian War American Revolutionary War |
| Spouse | Desire Burroughs |
| Signature | |
Commodore Esek Hopkins (April 26, 1718 – February 26, 1802) was a Continental Navy officer and privateer. He served as the only commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War, when the Continental Congress appointed him to the position in December 1775. Hopkins is known for carrying out the successful raid of Nassau in the Bahamas, which captured large amounts of military supplies. His legacy today has become controversial due to Hopkins' involvement in the Atlantic slave trade and for torturing British prisoners of war.