William H. Hunt


William Henry Hunt was the 29th United States Secretary of the Navy, Minister to the Russian Empire and a Judge of the Court of Claims.

Education and career

Born on June 12, 1823, in Charleston, South Carolina, Hunt attended Yale University and Yale Law School, then read law with Theodore Hunt and Randell Hunt in New Orleans, Louisiana. He entered private practice in New Orleans from 1844 to 1878. He served as a Colonel in the Confederate States Army in 1862. He was an Acting Professor of Civil Law for the University of Louisiana in 1866. He was Attorney General of Louisiana from 1876 to 1877.

Federal judicial service

Hunt was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes on April 18, 1878, to a seat on the Court of Claims vacated by Judge Ebenezer Peck. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 15, 1878, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on March 11, 1881, due to his resignation.

Secretary of the Navy

Hunt served as United States Secretary of the Navy from 1881 to 1882, in the cabinets of President James A. Garfield and President Chester A. Arthur.

Minister to Russia and death

Hunt served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Russian Empire for the United States Department of State from 1882 to 1884. He died on February 27, 1884, in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire.

Namesakes

Two ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Hunt for Hunt.