the "Father of the American Navy" was born

Born on July 6, 1747, in Scotland, John Paul Jones would go on to earn the legendary title of "Father of the American Navy." Interestingly, he wasn't always known by that full name — he was born simply John Paul, only tacking on "Jones" around 1773. Just a couple of years later, he'd become one of the most celebrated naval captains in the world. When the Revolutionary War erupted in 1775, Jones was already living in America and threw himself into the cause with passion. A brilliant and cunning strategist, he proved indispensable on the open seas.

From the time he was a boy, Jones couldn't get enough of ships. At just 13, he joined the British Merchant Navy as an apprentice. Then, at 17, a voyage back to Scotland thrust him into an unexpected spotlight. Yellow fever claimed the lives of both the captain and first mate during the journey, and Jones turned out to be the only crew member capable of navigating the vessel safely to port. So impressed were the ship's owners that they promoted him to master and rewarded him with a share of the cargo profits.

While in the West Indies in 1773, Jones killed the ringleader of a mutiny — an event that sent him fleeing and vanishing from the historical record for 18 months. He eventually turned up again in Virginia, and it was around this period that he began using the surname "Jones." Once the Revolutionary War ignited, he received an appointment as first lieutenant in the American Continental Navy, and his rise through the ranks was swift — he soon held the title of captain.

The English coast lived in fear of Jones. He launched audacious raids on their shores, seized more than twenty prize ships, and emerged victorious from what became known as the bloodiest fight in naval history — a brutal engagement lasting three hours. Beyond his exploits at sea, he also served as an advisor to the government on building and organizing the navy. Following the Revolutionary War, he spent two years as a rear admiral in the Russian Navy. John Paul Jones passed away from kidney failure in Paris on July 18, 1792, at the age of 45.