Victor Howard Metcalf

Victor Howard Metcalf (10 October, 1853 – 20 February, 1936) served as the thirty-eighth Secretary of the Navy from 1906 through 1908.

Life & Career

Victor Metcalf was born in Utica, New York on 10 October, 1853. He attended the public schools of Utica and graduated from the Utica Free Academy in 1871, from Russell's Military Academy in New Haven, Connecticut in 1872, and from the law department of Yale College in 1876. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar in June 1876 and to the New York bar in 1877, after which he practiced in Utica.

Two years later he moved to Oakland, California, where he continued practicing law. He was elected as a Republican to the House of Representatives in 1898 and served until his resignation on 1 July, 1904, having been appointed Secretary of Commerce and Labor by President Theodore Roosevelt. Metcalf resigned on 16 January, 1906, having been appointed Secretary of the Navy. He served in this post until his resignation on 1 December, 1908.

After his resignation, Metcalf to Oakland and became a banker for several years before resuming work as a lawyer. Metcalf died in Oakland on 20 February, 1936.

See Also

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Wikipedia

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Charles J. Bonaparte	Secretary of the Navy 17 Dec, 1906 – 30 Nov, 1908	Succeeded by Truman H. Newberry