Matthew C. Perry

Matthew C. Perry
Perry c. 1856–1858
Commander of the East India Squadron
In office November 20, 1852 – September 6, 1854
Preceded by	John H. Aulick
Succeeded by	Joel Abbot
Personal details
Born	Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-04-10)April 10, 1794[1] Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	March 4, 1858(1858-03-04) (aged 63) New York City, New York, U.S.
Spouse	Jane Slidell Perry ​ (m. 1814)​
Children	10
Parents	Christopher Perry (father) Sarah Wallace Alexander (mother)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1809–1858
Rank	Commodore
Commands	USS Shark Africa Squadron USS Fulton New York Navy Yard USS Mississippi Mosquito Fleet USS President
Battles/wars	Little Belt affair War of 1812 USS President vs HMS Belvidera Second Barbary War Suppression of the Slave Trade Battle of Little Bereby Opening of Japan Mexican–American War Battle of Frontiera First Battle of Tabasco Tampico Expedition Siege of Veracruz First Battle of Tuxpan Second Battle of Tuxpan Third Battle of Tuxpan Second Battle of Tabasco

Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 – March 4, 1858) was an American naval officer who commanded ships in several wars, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War. He played a leading role in the Perry Expedition that ended Japan's isolationism and the Convention of Kanagawa between Japan and the United States in 1854.

Perry was interested in the education of naval officers and assisted in the development of an apprentice system that helped establish the curriculum at the United States Naval Academy. With the advent of the steam engine, he became a leading advocate of modernizing the U.S. Navy and came to be considered "The Father of the Steam Navy" in the United States.