–attains rank of commodore in the US Navy.
Born in Philadelphia, and the grandson of Jonas Philips who had fought in the Revolutionary War, Uriah Phillips Levy led a storied life, which impacted America on multiple levels.
Among other achievements, Levy fought off anti–Semitism repeatedly as he advanced in the US Navy (primarily combat service: War of 1812). Levy went on to attain the rank of commodore.
He was instrumental in abolishing the practice of flogging in the US Navy, which was formally abolished by Congress in 1850.
Subsequent to his naval career, Levy, an admirer of Jefferson, purchased and restored Monticello, Jefferson’s estate, and ultimately bequeathed it to the American people.
Moving to the Jewish communal front, among other endeavors Levy was a founder in 1852 of the Washington Hebrew Congregation in the nation’s capital. The cornerstone of its larger building was laid in 1897 by President William McKinley.
(b. April, 1792; d. March, 1862)