James McHenry

1753–1816 (age 63)

Statesman/Secretary of War

Biography

James McHenry, a signer of the Constitution and Secretary of War under Presidents Washington and Adams, guided the young republic through the perils of invasion and the challenges of organizing the military.

His careful attention to fortifications and training, memorialized in the name of Fort McHenry, exemplified his enduring commitment to national defense even as he found rest at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground.