Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Dana, Richard Henry

Richard Henry Dana achieved prominence as a lawyer and author, and for his knowledge of the sea.

Dana was born August 1, 1815, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A student at Harvard University, he interrupted his studies in 1834 and spent two years as a sailor. In 1836, he returned to Harvard, graduating in 1837. He subsequently received an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1866.

Before entering a legal career, Dana taught elocution at Harvard from 1839 to 1840. He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and established a successful legal practice, demonstrating his expertise in ADMIRALTY cases.

Dana entered politics in 1848 as an organizer of the FREE SOIL PARTY, which opposed the principles of SLAVERY. He attended the party's convention of that same year, held in Buffalo, New York.