William Collins Whitney

William Collins Whitney
31st United States Secretary of the Navy
In office
March 7, 1885 – March 4, 1889
PresidentGrover Cleveland
Preceded byWilliam E. Chandler
Succeeded byBenjamin F. Tracy
Personal details
Born(1841-07-05)July 5, 1841
DiedFebruary 2, 1904(1904-02-02) (aged 62)
PartyDemocratic
Spouses
(m. 1869; died 1893)
Edith Randolph
(m. 1896; died 1899)
Children5, including Harry, Pauline, William, Dorothy
Parent(s)James Scollay Whitney
Laurinda Collins Whitney
RelativesHenry Melville Whitney (brother)
EducationWilliston Seminary
Yale University (BA)
Harvard University
Signature

William Collins Whitney (July 5, 1841 – February 2, 1904) was an American political leader and financier and a prominent member of the Whitney family. He served as Secretary of the Navy in the first administration of President Grover Cleveland from 1885 through 1889. A conservative reformer, he was considered a Bourbon Democrat.