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Uriah P. Levy
American naval officer and investor (1792-1862) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Uriah Phillips Levy (April 22, 1792 – March 26, 1862) was a naval officer, real estate investor, and philanthropist. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and the first Jewish Commodore of the United States Navy.[note 1] He was instrumental in helping to end the Navy's practice of flogging, and during his half-century-long service prevailed against the antisemitism he faced among some of his fellow naval officers.
Quick Facts Birth name, Born ...
Uriah P. Levy | |
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Birth name | Uriah Phillips Levy |
Born | (1792-04-22)April 22, 1792 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Died | March 26, 1862(1862-03-26) (aged 69) New York City |
Place of burial | Beth Olam Cemetery, Queens, New York |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1812-1862 |
Rank | Commodore |
Commands held | USS Vandalia USS Macedonian USS Franklin Mediterranean Fleet |
Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Spouse(s) | Virginia Lopez |
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An admirer of Thomas Jefferson, Levy purchased and began the restoration of Monticello in the 1830s. He also commissioned and donated a statue of Jefferson that is now located in the Capitol Rotunda; it is the only privately commissioned artwork in the Capitol.