Francis J. Higginson

Francis John Higginson (July 19, 1843 – September 12, 1931) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War and Spanish–American War. He rose to the rank of rear admiral and was the last commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Squadron and first commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Fleet. Early life Higginson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1843. He was raised in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Naval career Early career Higginson was appointed as an acting midshipman on September 21, 1857, and entered the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1861, when he was promoted to midshipman.