Charles Wilkes
Who was Charles Wilkes?
Naval officer and explorer from the United States (1798-1877)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Charles Wilkes (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Charles Wilkes was born on April 3, 1798, in New York City, and became a key figure in American naval and scientific history. He studied at Columbia University and joined the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1818. Over time, he developed a strong interest in surveying, hydrography, and the natural sciences. His thorough approach to navigation and map-making set him apart, garnering attention from naval leaders when the U.S. was keen to become a maritime power.
Wilkes is best known for leading the United States Exploring Expedition from 1838 to 1842, a huge scientific and naval mission that sent six ships across the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica, and beyond. The expedition confirmed that Antarctica is a continent, mapped many Pacific islands, collected thousands of plant, rock, and animal specimens, and produced charts used for years. Wilkes and his crew covered about 87,000 miles, and the collections from the journey became a large part of the initial holdings of what would later be the Smithsonian Institution.
Despite the expedition's amazing achievements, Wilkes faced a court-martial on his return due to his harsh treatment of crew members and disagreements with junior officers. He was cleared of the most serious charges but reprimanded for illegally punishing sailors. This controversy didn't completely harm his scientific reputation. In 1848, he received the Patron's Medal from the Royal Geographical Society for his work in geography and exploration, and he was also elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
During the American Civil War, Wilkes commanded the USS San Jacinto and was at the center of the Trent Affair in November 1861, a highly sensitive incident in the conflict. He stopped the British Royal Mail ship RMS Trent at sea and seized two Confederate envoys, James Mason and John Slidell. Initially praised in the North, the act almost caused a war with Britain, which demanded the envoys' release. President Lincoln eventually complied, avoiding a major diplomatic crisis. Wilkes was later promoted to acting rear admiral but continued to fuel controversy with his defiance and independent actions.
In later years, Wilkes focused on compiling and publishing the scientific findings from the Exploring Expedition, a task that took decades and resulted in many volumes on subjects like weather, sea mapping, plants, and cultures. He died on February 8, 1877, in Washington, D.C., leaving a complex history marked by scientific success, naval bravery, and a fiery disposition that often put him at odds with others.
Before Fame
Charles Wilkes grew up in New York City during the early days of the American republic, a time when the young nation was starting to make its mark globally through commerce and naval power. He lost his mother early on and was partly raised by his great-aunt, writer Margarita Akerly. Wilkes studied at Columbia University before joining the Navy as a midshipman in 1818 at age twenty.
After his appointment, Wilkes focused on training in mathematics, astronomy, and surveying. These skills were crucial for a navy that needed accurate charts for its growing trade routes. He worked in various roles and eventually led the Depot of Charts and Instruments in Washington. This position helped him build the scientific and organizational skills that were key when he was chosen to lead the major national exploring expedition that became the highlight of his career.
Key Achievements
- Commanded the United States Exploring Expedition (1838–1842), confirming Antarctica as a continent and charting vast areas of the Pacific Ocean
- Received the Patron's Medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 1848 for geographic discovery
- Directed the collection of specimens that helped establish the foundational scientific holdings of the Smithsonian Institution
- Authored and oversaw the publication of a multi-volume scientific record of the Exploring Expedition covering botany, meteorology, hydrography, and ethnography
- Played a central role in the Trent Affair of 1861, one of the most significant diplomatic crises of the American Civil War
Did You Know?
- 01.The portion of Antarctica that Wilkes charted during the 1838–1842 expedition is still known as Wilkes Land in his honor.
- 02.The collections brought back by the United States Exploring Expedition included over 40,000 plant specimens, 4,000 zoological specimens, and thousands of ethnographic artifacts, many of which helped form the foundational collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
- 03.Herman Melville is believed to have based aspects of the obsessive Captain Ahab in Moby-Dick partly on Wilkes's famously domineering and unrelenting personality.
- 04.During the Trent Affair, Wilkes acted without direct orders from Washington when he ordered the seizure of the Confederate envoys, a decision that temporarily made him a popular hero in the Northern press before the diplomatic fallout became clear.
- 05.Wilkes published a nineteen-volume narrative and scientific report of the Exploring Expedition, a project that took decades to complete and required the contributions of numerous specialist scientists.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Patron’s Medal | 1848 | — |
| Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | — | — |