American military academic and civil engineer (1802–1871)
Dennis Hart Mahan
Born
(1802-04-02)April 2, 1802
New York City, New York
Died
September 16, 1871(1871-09-16) (aged 69)
near Stony Point, New York
Resting place
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York
Education
United States Military Academy
Occupation(s)
Civil and military engineer Educator Military theorist
Spouse
Mary Helena Okill Mahan (m. 1839-1871, his death)
Children
6 (including Alfred Thayer Mahan)
Military career
Allegiance
United States
Service/branch
United States Army
Years of service
1824-1832
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Unit
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Dennis Hart Mahan (Mă-hăn) [məˈhæn][1] (April 2, 1802 – September 16, 1871) was a noted American military theorist, civil engineer and professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1824–1871. He was the father of American naval historian and theorist Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan.
A native of New York City, Mahan was raised and educated in Norfolk, Virginia. He was an 1824 graduate of the United States Military Academy; ranked first in class, Mahan's high academic standing earned him appointment to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Mahan's mathematical and engineering skills were recognized by his instructors and the superintendent, Sylvanus Thayer, and he began teaching courses as an acting assistant professor during his third year as a student.
Mahan received advanced training in engineering during an extended trip to Europe, including attendance at the French engineer and artillery school in Metz. He resigned his commission in 1832 to become chairman of West Point's Engineering Department, and he remained on the faculty until his death. Mahan taught many of the military leaders who served on each side during the American Civil War, and his extensive writings on military engineering, fortifications, and strategy became required reading among military professionals through World War I.
In 1871, West Point's board of overseers recommended that he be retired because he was in ill health. On September 16, 1871, Mahan was aboard a Hudson River steamboat on his way to New York City to visit his doctor when he became distraught over the thought of retiring and committed suicide by jumping into the boat's paddlewheel. Mahan was buried at West Point Cemetery.
^Taylor, Charles Carlisle (1920). The Life of Admiral Mahan, Naval Philosopher. London, England: John Murray. p. 2 – via Google Books.
DennisHartMahan (Mă-hăn) [məˈhæn] (April 2, 1802 – September 16, 1871) was a noted American military theorist, civil engineer and professor at the United...
1793–1812 (1892), made him world-famous. Mahan was born on September 27, 1840, at West Point, New York, to DennisHartMahan, a professor at the United States...
academy who became university educators or administrators, such as DennisHartMahan (class of 1824), George Washington Custis Lee (class of 1854), Dwight...
generally have a greater field of fire. The American military theorist DennisHartMahan suggested that light guns, particularly howitzers, were best suited...
passed. Longstreet's engineering instructor in his fourth year was DennisHartMahan, who stressed swift maneuvering, protection of interior lines, and...
Dell'arte della guerra (The Art of War) Alfred Thayer Mahan – naval strategist DennisHartMahan – military theorist and Engineering professor at West...
were used extensively on the defensive thanks to the teachings of DennisHartMahan at West Point. Even when not conducting a siege, such defensive fortifications...
century in the academic area was the construction of Mahan Hall, named after DennisHartMahan. Mahan Hall is home to the academy's Department of Civil &...
known for being "unkilliable" DennisHartMahan, professor of military theory and engineering at West Point Alfred Thayer Mahan, influential naval historian...
States Military Academy. He became a favorite of military theorist DennisHartMahan and was allowed to teach classes while still a cadet. He graduated...
by the defensive-oriented teachings of West Point instructors like DennisHartMahan. Stephen Starr could find no proof that cavalry in the Civil War made...
engineering innovations Alexander S. MacKenzie - U.S. Navy officer DennisHartMahan - USMA professor at West Point; expert in siege warfare Wesley Merritt...
Thayer Mahan – naval officer and author whose work, including Sea Power, inspired the creation of the modern United States Navy DennisHartMahan – guiding...
officers influenced by the defensive-oriented teachings of men like DennisHartMahan. Hess argues that, given all these factors, the continued use of linear...
of Jared Mansfield Portrait of General Winfield Scott Portrait of DennisHartMahan Il Penseroso John Canfield Spencer James Monroe, (after Durand and...
Okill, and was mother of Mary Helena Okill (1815–1893) (who married DennisHartMahan, a military theorist, civil engineer and professor at the United States...
fortification of the war followed a pattern established by Professor DennisHartMahan of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, who...
1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2006)132:6(563). Retrieved February 1, 2009. Mahan, DennisHart (1873). Descriptive Geometry, as Applied to the Drawing of Fortification...
Hector. Treatise on Fortification and Artillery, W. Allen, 1858, p.153 Mahan, DennisHart. Summary of the Course of Permanent Fortification, U.S. Military Academy...
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