Early Life
Buchanan was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the fifth child and third son of a physician, George Buchanan and Laetitia McKean Buchanan. He became a midshipman in 1815, was promoted to lieutenant in 1825, commander in 1841 and captain in 1855.
During the 45 years he served in the U.S. Navy, Buchanan had extensive and worldwide sea duty. He commanded the sloops of war Vincennes and Germantown during the 1840s and the steam frigate Susquehanna in the Perry expedition to Japan during the 1850s.
From 1845–1847, he served as the first Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, followed by notable Mexican-American War service. From 1859–1861, Captain Buchanan was the Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard. During the Civil War, he joined the Confederate forces.
Read more about this topic: Franklin Buchanan
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