Richmond P. Hobson

For the author, seeRichmond P. Hobson, Jr.

Richmond P. Hobson
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromAlabama's6thdistrict
In office March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1915
Preceded by	John H. Bankhead
Succeeded by	William B. Oliver
Personal details
Born	Richmond Pearson Hobson (1870-08-17)August 17, 1870 Greensboro,AlabamaU.S.
Died	March 16, 1937(1937-03-16)(aged 66) New York,New York,U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	U.S. Naval Academy
Awards	Medal of Honor
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1889–1903
Rank	Rear Admiral
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War *Sinking of theMerrimac

Richmond Pearson Hobson(August 17, 1870 – March 16, 1937) was aUnited States Navyrear admiral who served from 1907–1915 as aU.S. RepresentativefromAlabama.A veteran of theSpanish–American War,he received theMedal of Honoryears later for his part in that conflict. He later became a leading proponent ofProhibition in the United States.

Early life and career

He was born atMagnolia GroveinGreensboroinHale Countyin the westernBlack Beltof Alabama. He was the son of Sarah Pearson and James M. Hobson. He was the nephew ofRichmond Pearson(1852–1923) and the grandson of JusticeRichmond Mumford Pearson(1805–1878). He graduated from theUnited States Naval Academyin 1889. He was ostracized by his fellowmidshipmenfor his totalabstinencefrom alcohol and tobacco. He maintained a superb academic record, graduating first in his class and became the highest ranking midshipman: cadet battalion commander (today's brigade commander).After duty inChicago,he underwent additional training and was appointed assistantNaval Constructorin 1891. Hobson then served at various navy yards and facilities, including a tour of duty as instructor at the Naval Academy.

Spanish–American War

In the early days of theSpanish–American War,he was with AdmiralWilliam T. Sampsonin New York, and arrived off Santiago on June 1, 1898. In order to bottle up theSpanish Navysquadron of AdmiralPascual Cervera y Topeteduring theBattle of Santiago de Cuba,Hobson took temporary command of the collierMerrimac,which he would attempt to sink as an obstruction in the channel leading toSantiago Harbor,Cuba.The attempt was made early June 3, under heavy Spanish fire, which disabled the steering gear of the collier. Hobson did sinkMerrimac,but was unable to place her in the shallowest part of the channel. With his crew of six, he was picked up by Admiral Cervera himself and treated quite chivalrously.

Hobson became a hero of theAmerican presswhile he was aprisoner of warin Cuba. His portrait appeared in hundreds of newspapers with embellished stories of his bravery in volunteering for what was perceived as a suicide mission. A fund was raised to aid his parents in avoidingforeclosureof theirmortgage.When Hobson was released during aprisoner exchangeon July 6, 1898, hundreds of American troops snapped to attention, then burst into cheers as he passed. He was deluged with speaking invitations when he returned to the United States. After dining with PresidentWilliam McKinley,Hobson traveled west by train en route toSan Franciscoand thePhilippines.Crowds greeted his train at many stations, and his enthusiasm for kissing admiring young women made him asex symbolof theVictorian age.He became a sort of celebrity during the rise of popular journalism at the turn of the century and was referred to as "the most kissed man in America."

Hobson authored a book, published in 1899, about the events surrounding the sinking ofMerrimac.

Postwar career

Hobson was advanced ten numbers in grade after the war and was promoted to naval constructor with the rank of lieutenant to date from June 23, 1898. Following the end of the war, he helped repair and refit captured Spanish cruisers atCaviteand at various Navy shore stations. In 1899 he became a Veteran Companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of theMilitary Order of Foreign Wars.He was also a Companion of the New York Commandery of theNaval and Military Order of the Spanish War.

As of January 1, 1902 Hobson had been promoted to captain with date of rank of June 23, 1898.After an unsuccessful attempt to retire, he resigned from the Navy in 1903. His resignation promptedSecretary of the NavyWilliam Henry Moodyto reconsider and allow him to retire.

In 1933, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his attempt to block the channel.He was the only Navy officer to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Spanish–American War.

Political career

Painting of Rear Admiral Richmond P. Hobson (Retired), dated 1937. He is depicted wearing his Medal of Honor and standing before an artwork of the sinking of the USSMerrimac.

After resigning from active duty in 1903, Hobson remained a staunch supporter of the navy and during his subsequent career as aDemocraticU.S. Representative fromAlabama,1907–1915, was a firm advocate of naval expansion. He was denied renomination in the 1914 Democratic primary and was notable for being the only congressman from theDeep Southto vote for the (failed)women's suffrage billin the 1915 lame duck session. In 1934, by special act of theUnited States Congress,he was advanced to naval constructor with a rank ofrear admiraland placed on the retired list. He died on March 16, 1937, inNew York Cityand is interred inArlington National CemeteryinVirginia.

Role in American drug policy

Hobson leading narcotic fight, 1923

After leaving Congress, Hobson became very active in the cause of banning drugs and alcohol, earning the nickname "The Father of American Prohibition".Hobson first became involved in the issue during thePhilippine–American Warwhen he lobbied Congress to take a tougher stand against theillegal drug trade in the Philippines.Hobson eventually came to view alcohol to be as dangerous asnarcotics.In 1913, he led a majorAnti-Saloon LeagueandWomen's Christian Temperance Uniondemonstration inWashington D.C.for a federal prohibition of alcohol in the United States. Along withMorris Sheppard,he introduced aconstitutional amendmentto do so in 1914, which was ratified in 1919 as the18th Amendment.Hobson was a prolific author on this subject, writing the booksNarcotic Peril(1925),The Modern Pirates-Exterminate Them(1931) andDrug Addiction: A Malignant Racial Cancer(1933),speaking on radio programs and in front of civic groups, founding the International Narcotic Education Association and lobbying his former Congressional colleagues in favor of anti-drug laws. During the 1920s and '30s, Hobson was the Anti-Saloon League's highest-paid special speaker.

Personal life and legacy

In 1905, Hobson married Grizelda Houston Hull, cousin of U.S. Army GeneralJoseph Wheeler,inTuxedo Park, New York.The couple's son,Richmond P. "Rich" Hobson, Jr.,became a rancher in Canada and wrote several popular memoirs of his time there.Hobson's nephew,James Hobson Morrison, Sr.,was the Democratic congressman from theBaton Rouge-centeredSixth Congressional DistrictofLouisianafrom 1943 to 1967.

One of Hobson's close friends was the inventorNikola Tesla.Tesla served as the best man in Hobson's wedding. In later years, Hobson was the only person who was able to persuade Tesla to interrupt his intellectual pursuits for a movie gathering.

The destroyerUSSHobson(DD-464)was named in his honor. A small town in south Texas was renamed from Castine toHobsonafter he spoke there on a railroad tour. A small town in north-central Alabama,Hobson City,Alabama, also took his name.

Medal of Honor citation

RADM Richmond P. Hobson receives Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House, 1933

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 17 August 1870, Greensboro, Ala. Accredited to: New York. (Medal presented by President, 29 April 1933.)

Citation:

In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S.Merrimacat the entrance to the fortified harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 3 June 1898. Despite persistent fire from the enemy fleet and fortifications on shore, Lt. Hobson distinguished himself by extraordinary courage and carried out this operation at the risk of his own personal safety.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War

References

This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• United States Congress."HOBSON, Richmond Pearson (id: H000667)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Works by or about Richmond P. HobsonatInternet Archive
• Works by Richmond P. HobsonatLibriVox(public domain audiobooks)
• "history.navy.mil: USSHobson".RetrievedJune 11,2018.

This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom theBiographical Directory of the United States Congress