David Henshaw (American politician)

David Henshaw
14th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office July 24, 1843 – February 18, 1844
President	John Tyler
Preceded by	Abel Upshur
Succeeded by	Thomas Gilmer
4th Collector of the Port of Boston
In office 1829–1837
Preceded by	Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn
Succeeded by	George Bancroft
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from Suffolk County
In office May 31, 1826 – May 30, 1827
Personal details
Born	(1791-04-02)April 2, 1791 Leicester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	November 11, 1852(1852-11-11) (aged 61) Leicester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

David Henshaw (April 2, 1791 – November 11, 1852) was the 14th United States Secretary of the Navy.

Henshaw was born in Leicester, Massachusetts in 1791 and educated at Leicester Academy. Trained as a druggist, he achieved notable success in that field, then expanded his energies into banking, transportation and politics. He was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in 1826 and served as Collector of the Port of Boston from the late 1820s until 1838. Though he suffered business reverses during the later 1830s, Henshaw regained his political position as a leader of the Massachusetts Democratic Party within a few years.

In July 1843, President John Tyler selected Henshaw as Secretary of the Navy to follow Abel P. Upshur. During his brief term in office, he addressed shipbuilding problems, selected senior officers for important seagoing commands, revised supply arrangements in the Navy Yards and attempted to establish a school for Midshipmen. His recess appointment as Secretary failed to receive Congressional confirmation, requiring that he leave office when his successor was confirmed. Henshaw then returned to Massachusetts politics. He died in 1852.

USS Henshaw (DD-278) was named in his honor.

See also

• Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States
• 47th Massachusetts General Court (1826–1827)

References

• Loring, James Spear. The Hundred Boston Orators Appointed by the Municipal Authorities from 1770 to 1852 David Henshaw Biographical Chapter - page 564. published 1852, 694 pages.
•  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.