United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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To IRobert fH Thompson, l£sq. Of New York City, Class of ’68, U. S. N. A., This volume is most respectfully dedicated, in grateful recogni- tion of the permanent and generous interest and encourage- ment shown by him in all that concerns the welfare and advancement of the Academy and the cadets, especially in the promotion and improvement of manly athletic sports among us.

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ROBERT MEANS THOMPSON IRobcrt fiDcans Thompson, the subject of this sketch, was born March 2, 1849, in the village of Corsica, Jefferson Co., Pa. His ancestors were Scotch and Scotch-Irish of a sturdy and dis- tinguished line of descent, the celebrated Wallaces of Ellerslie being among his ancestors. His early education was received in the common schools and the Academy at Elder! Ridge. At the age of fifteen years he received from the Hon. Gleni Scofield an appointment to the Naval Academy. This appointment had been intended for an older brother who, how- ever, was severely wounded while serving in the War of the Rebel- lion, and who therefore transferred it to his younger brother. Young Thompson entered the Academy, which was then located at Newport, in the summer of 1864. During his four years at the Academy he maintained a high standing in his class, and was grad- uated rwitli distinction in June, 1868, being number 10 in a class of 80. He was then ordered into active service, and served on board the “ Contocook ” in the West Indian Squadron, and the “ Franklin,” “ Richmond ” and “ Guard ” in the Mediterranean Squadron. He was commissioned Ensign in Oct., 1869, and in December of that year was ordered to duty at the Torpedo Station at Newport, R. I., being 011c of the first officers selected for that duty. He was com- missioned as Master in July, 1870. In June, 1871, he joined the “ Wachusett ” at New York, and served on board that ship in the Mediterranean until Dec., 1871, when his resignation from the navy was accepted. He immediately entered the law office of Hon. Geo. A. Jenks in Rrookville, Pa., and was admitted to the bar in August, 1872. He entered iDean Law School at Harvard University the same year, and was graduated in June, 1874, receiving the degree of LL.B. He was appointed Asst. Reporter of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa- chusetts. In Jan., 1875, he opened a law office in Boston. He was 7