The Old Naval Academy: Buchanan to Blake, 1845-1861, 1981: Finding Aid

Biography of Charles Todorich

Charles Martin Todorich was born on July 21, 1948 and was admitted to the United States Naval Academy on June 29, 1966 on appointment from Pennsylvania. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1970, Todorich attended flight school, and served as a navigator and tactical coordinator aboard P-3 Orions in Europe and Asia, including Vietnam. From 1975 to 1978, he was attached to the Naval Academy as an instructor in the History Department. After leaving the Navy, Todorich became director of public and government affairs for the Maine Chamber of Commerce in Portland, Maine. In addition to his Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, Todorich also holds a Master of Arts in American History from the University of Maryland and a law degree from the University of Maine.

Charles Todorich's other publications include Whither Legal Education? (University of Maine School of Law thesis, 1981); The Spirited Years: A History of the Antebellum Naval Academy (Naval Institute Press, 1984); and "Franklin Buchanan: Symbol for Two Navies, published in Captains of the Old Steam Navy: Makers of the American Naval Tradition, 1840-1880 (Naval Institute Press, 1986).

Description of Contents

The Old Naval Academy: Buchanan to Blake, 1845-1861, comprising a single volume of 281 leaves, was written in 1981 in fulfillment of Todorich's Master of Arts in American History from the University of Maryland. The thesis traces the history of the United States Naval Academy from its founding until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Todorich's thesis consists of the following chapters: From the quarterdeck to the classroom - naval education comes to Annapolis; Leaving port - Franklin Buchanan gets the Naval School underway; Navigating through the shoals - George Upshur's ordeal at the Naval School; From Naval Academy to national institution - the Stribling years, 1850-1853; Toward a naval profession - the superintendency of Louis M. Goldsborough; Officers and gentlemen - the Annapolis ideal; Summer cruises; and Into the maelstrom - the end of the old Naval Academy.

The cover of Todorich's thesis is inscribed by the author, dated July 5, 1982.

Arrangement

The Old Naval Academy: Buchanan to Blake, 1845-1861 comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Old Naval Academy: Buchanan to Blake, 1845-1861 is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Charles Martin Todorich in July 1982. Accession No. 82-21.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material in this repository pertaining to Charles Todorich can be found in his Midshipman Personnel Jacket (sealed for 62 years from resignation from the Navy).

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Publications Citing These Papers

This thesis was edited and published as The Spirited Years: A History of the Antebellum Naval Academy by the Naval Institute Press in 1984.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

The Old Naval Academy: Buchanan to Blake, 1845-1861, MS 196

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Todorich, Charles. The Spirited Years: A History of the Antebellum Naval Academy. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1984.

United States Naval Academy. Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1966.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in March 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Naval education -- United States
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 19th century
• United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
• United States Naval Academy. Superintendent

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Theses