John Dahlgren

Biography

John Adolphus Dahlgren was a pioneering naval officer and ordnance expert who revolutionized American naval gunnery during the 19th century. He designed the famous Dahlgren gun, a smoothbore cannon that became standard equipment on Union warships during the Civil War. Dahlgren rose to the rank of rear admiral and served as commandant of the Washington Navy Yard, where he continued to innovate naval technology and tactics.