About the Author: James Kirke Paulding

1778-1860
American writer who also was the United States Secretary of the Navy for 3 years.

He worked with Washington Irving on a short-lived satirical periodical Salmagundi. The magazine coined the term Gotham to describe New York.

Martin Van Buren appointed him Secretary of the Navy in June 1838. As Secretary, he was a conservative figure, whose extensive knowledge of naval affairs was balanced by notable lack of enthusiasm for new technology.

Paulding was associated with the Knickerbocker literary group