Uriah P. Levy
Encyclopedia
Uriah Phillips Levy was the first Jewish Commodore of the United States Navy
, a veteran of the War of 1812
and a major philanthropist. At the time, Commodore was the highest rank obtainable in the U.S. Navy and would be roughly equivalent to the modern-day rank of Admiral
. During his tenure, he ended the Navy's practice of flogging
, and prevailed against the antisemitic
bigotry he faced among his fellow naval officers.
In 1834 Levy purchased and began the restoration of Thomas Jefferson's
estate, Monticello
, near Charlottesville, Virginia
. His donation of it to the United States Congress in 1862 was rejected due to the wartime crisis. In 1879 his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy
bought out other heirs and contracted for renewed restoration and preservation of the property. Their work and private money preserved it for the American people. In 1923 Monticello was purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and adapted as a house museum. Uriah Levy commissioned a bronze statue of Jefferson in France in 1834 and donated it to Congress. Now in the Capitol Rotunda, it is the only privately commissioned artwork in the Capitol.
Commodore Levy Chapel
, the Jewish Chapel at Naval Station Norfolk
, Norfolk, Virginia
, and the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel at the United States Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Maryland
are named in his honor. Also, he was the namesake of a Cannon class
destroyer escort
, the .
to Michael and Rachel Phillips Levy. He had two older siblings. Uriah Levy was close to his maternal grandfather, Jonas Phillips
, who had emigrated to the United States in 1756 from Germany, and fought with the Philadelphia militia in the American Revolution
. His maternal great-great grandfather, Dr. Samuel Nunes Riberio, a Portuguese
physician, was among a group of 42 Sephardic Jews who escaped the Spanish Inquisition
of the early 16th century and migrated to England, where they settled. Descendants of that group sailed from London in 1733 and helped found the city of Savannah, Georgia
, where they lived for generations.
Levy's younger brother was Jonas Phillips Levy
, who became a merchant and sea captain. He was the father of five, including the Congressman Jefferson Monroe Levy
.
, returning home to Philadelphia at age 13 for his bar mitzvah. In 1806, he apprenticed as a sailor.
Later he became a sailing master in the U.S. Navy, and fought in the Barbary Wars
. At the age of 21, he volunteered for the War of 1812
, in which he was a "supernumerary", or extra, sailing master on the , which interdicted British ships in the English Channel. The Argus seized more than twenty vessels, but was captured, her captain killed, and the entire crew, including Levy, taken prisoner. They were imprisoned by Great Britain
for sixteen months until the end of the war. During his captivity, Levy had difficulty obtaining a subsidy and parole because his status as an extra master was not understood by the British Transport Board.
Upon return to the United States, Levy served aboard the as second master
. Levy was promoted to the rank of lieutenant
in 1817, master commandant
in 1837, and captain
in 1844.
During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, Levy faced considerable antisemitism. He reacted to slights and was court-martialed six times, and once demoted from the rank of Captain. Twice, he was dismissed from the Navy, but reinstated. He defended his conduct in his handling of naval affairs before a Court of Inquiry and in 1855 was restored to his former position. Later, in recognition of his superior abilities, Levy commanded the Mediterranean fleet. He was promoted to the rank of Commodore, then the highest rank in the U.S. Navy.
A promoter of justice and human rights
, in his post as Commodore, Levy was instrumental in abolishing flogging
(corporal punishment) in the U.S. Navy, although his position was considered controversial at the time. In addition to changing practices in the Navy, he helped gain the support of the US Congress in passing an anti-flogging bill in 1850.
's burgeoning real estate market, and used his wealth to support many philanthropic endeavors. Many of these were in support of Jewish-American life. He served as the first president of the Washington Hebrew Congregation
in Washington, DC. In 1854 he sponsored the new Jewish seminary
of the Bnai Jeshurun Educational Institute in New York.
In 1833, the City of New York
gave him the Key to the City
after he presented the city with a copy of a statue of Thomas Jefferson. Levy had commissioned it in Paris by the noted sculptor David d'Angers. Levy was cited for his "character, patriotism and public spirit."
Levy is buried in Beth Olom Cemetery, Brooklyn
, associated with the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
run-down plantation Monticello
for $2500 from Barclay, a pharmacist. Jefferson had left his beloved home to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph
, upon his death in 1826. The estate was encumbered with more than $100,000 in debt and she had additional family financial difficulties due to her husband's debts. Martha Randolph gradually sold portions of the plantation's land and nearly all of the home's furniture and artifacts. She sold the Monticello property in 1831 to James Turner Barclay, a Charlottesville pharmacist.
Levy was a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson for his ideal freedom of religion
. He had said of the president:
Levy purchased Monticello from Barclay and undertook to have the long-neglected home fully repaired, restored, and preserved. In addition, he bought an additional 2500 acres that had originally belonged to the plantation. He proudly showed off the property to visitors. Levy never made Monticello his permanent residence, as his Navy career and business commitments kept him primarily in New York. He used Monticello as a vacation home and moved his widowed mother, Rachel Levy, there in 1837. She became the steward of the estate until her death in 1839. She was buried along the walk approaching the main house.
In his will, Levy left Monticello to the American people to be used as an agricultural school for the orphans of Navy warrant officer
s. Upon his death in 1862, however, Congress refused to accept the donation due to the crisis caused by the American Civil War
. During the war, the Confederate
government seized and sold the property. Levy's lawyers for his estate recovered the property after the war.
Following two lawsuits by family members over Levy's will, with 47 parties to the suit, in 1879 his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy
bought out the other heirs and took control of Monticello. The war and lengthy lawsuits had caused neglect of the property. Jefferson Levy also spent an enormous amount of money repairing, restoring and preserving Monticello. He sold it in 1923 to a private non-profit group, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (then called the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation), which adapted the home and associated property as a museum. It began additional restoration and preservation work as well.
The history of the Levy family's role in preserving Monticello was downplayed by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation through much of the 20th century. Historians believe that is due to anti-Semitic views among its board and members, although the Levys had roots in the South
since 1733. Not until the 1980s were the facts rediscovered about the critical private roles of two Levy men in preserving and restoring Monticello for the American public.
In 1985, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation restored the gravesite of Rachel Levy and recognized descendants of the family in a special ceremony. Since then, officials have created additional occasions to welcome members of the Levy family, and in 2001 the Foundation published a book on the role of Levy family in saving the plantation. The Foundation now openly celebrates Uriah P. Levy's role in helping restore a landmark of Virginia and United States' history. It includes information on site about his and his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy's roles in preserving the presidential home.
, the rest were commissioned either by Congress or the States.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, a veteran of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and a major philanthropist. At the time, Commodore was the highest rank obtainable in the U.S. Navy and would be roughly equivalent to the modern-day rank of Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
. During his tenure, he ended the Navy's practice of flogging
Flagellation
Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok...
, and prevailed against the antisemitic
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
bigotry he faced among his fellow naval officers.
In 1834 Levy purchased and began the restoration of Thomas Jefferson's
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
estate, Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
, near Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. His donation of it to the United States Congress in 1862 was rejected due to the wartime crisis. In 1879 his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy was a three-term U.S. Congressman from New York, a leader of the New York Democratic Party, and a renowned real estate and stock speculator....
bought out other heirs and contracted for renewed restoration and preservation of the property. Their work and private money preserved it for the American people. In 1923 Monticello was purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and adapted as a house museum. Uriah Levy commissioned a bronze statue of Jefferson in France in 1834 and donated it to Congress. Now in the Capitol Rotunda, it is the only privately commissioned artwork in the Capitol.
Commodore Levy Chapel
Commodore Levy Chapel
The Commodore Levy Chapel, established in 1942 and renamed in 1959 in honor of Uriah P. Levy, is the United States Navy's oldest Jewish chapel, located at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia...
, the Jewish Chapel at Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
are named in his honor. Also, he was the namesake of a Cannon class
Cannon class destroyer escort
The Cannon class destroyer escorts were built primarily for ocean Anti-Submarine Warfare escort service during World War II. The lead ship, was commissioned on 26 September 1943 at Wilmington, Delaware. The class was also known as the DET type from their Diesel Electric Tandem drive. Of the 116...
destroyer escort
Destroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
, the .
Early life and education
Levy was born on April 22, 1792, in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
to Michael and Rachel Phillips Levy. He had two older siblings. Uriah Levy was close to his maternal grandfather, Jonas Phillips
Jonas Phillips
Jonas Phillips was the first of the Phillips family to settle in America. A founder of Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Phillips was the father of twenty-two children and the grandfather of Uriah Phillips Levy, the first Jewish Commodore in the United States Navy.-Childhood and emigration:Phillips...
, who had emigrated to the United States in 1756 from Germany, and fought with the Philadelphia militia in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. His maternal great-great grandfather, Dr. Samuel Nunes Riberio, a Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
physician, was among a group of 42 Sephardic Jews who escaped the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
of the early 16th century and migrated to England, where they settled. Descendants of that group sailed from London in 1733 and helped found the city of Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, where they lived for generations.
Levy's younger brother was Jonas Phillips Levy
Jonas Phillips Levy
Jonas Phillips Levy was a Jewish-American merchant and sea captain. Levy was granted the "freedom of the country" by the government of Peru for signal services rendered in the Peruvian Navy.-Early life and education:...
, who became a merchant and sea captain. He was the father of five, including the Congressman Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy was a three-term U.S. Congressman from New York, a leader of the New York Democratic Party, and a renowned real estate and stock speculator....
.
Naval career
Family stories have it that Levy ran away from home at the age of ten and ended up serving on various vessels as a cabin boyCabin boy
A Cabin boy or ship's boy is a boy who waits on the officers and passengers of a ship, especially running errands for the captain....
, returning home to Philadelphia at age 13 for his bar mitzvah. In 1806, he apprenticed as a sailor.
Later he became a sailing master in the U.S. Navy, and fought in the Barbary Wars
Barbary Wars
The Barbary Wars were a series of wars between the United States of America and the Barbary States of North Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At issue was the Barbary pirates' demand of tribute from American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. If ships failed to pay, pirates...
. At the age of 21, he volunteered for the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, in which he was a "supernumerary", or extra, sailing master on the , which interdicted British ships in the English Channel. The Argus seized more than twenty vessels, but was captured, her captain killed, and the entire crew, including Levy, taken prisoner. They were imprisoned by Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
for sixteen months until the end of the war. During his captivity, Levy had difficulty obtaining a subsidy and parole because his status as an extra master was not understood by the British Transport Board.
Upon return to the United States, Levy served aboard the as second master
Second master
A deputy head teacher, deputy headmaster or deputy headmistress is the second most senior teacher in a school in the United Kingdom and elsewhere....
. Levy was promoted to the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1817, master commandant
Master Commandant
Master commandant was a rank within the early United States Navy. The rank of master commandant was slightly higher than lieutenant, and a master commandant would often command warships too small to justify the command of a full captain. In the United States Navy, the rank was shortened to...
in 1837, and captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
in 1844.
During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, Levy faced considerable antisemitism. He reacted to slights and was court-martialed six times, and once demoted from the rank of Captain. Twice, he was dismissed from the Navy, but reinstated. He defended his conduct in his handling of naval affairs before a Court of Inquiry and in 1855 was restored to his former position. Later, in recognition of his superior abilities, Levy commanded the Mediterranean fleet. He was promoted to the rank of Commodore, then the highest rank in the U.S. Navy.
A promoter of justice and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, in his post as Commodore, Levy was instrumental in abolishing flogging
Flagellation
Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok...
(corporal punishment) in the U.S. Navy, although his position was considered controversial at the time. In addition to changing practices in the Navy, he helped gain the support of the US Congress in passing an anti-flogging bill in 1850.
Philanthropic activities
Levy became wealthy by investing in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's burgeoning real estate market, and used his wealth to support many philanthropic endeavors. Many of these were in support of Jewish-American life. He served as the first president of the Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington Hebrew Congregation
The Washington Hebrew Congregation is a Jewish congregation formed on April 25, 1852, in Washington, D.C., by twenty-one members.Solomon Pribram was elected the first president. By 1854, there were forty-two members...
in Washington, DC. In 1854 he sponsored the new Jewish seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
of the Bnai Jeshurun Educational Institute in New York.
In 1833, the City of New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
gave him the Key to the City
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
after he presented the city with a copy of a statue of Thomas Jefferson. Levy had commissioned it in Paris by the noted sculptor David d'Angers. Levy was cited for his "character, patriotism and public spirit."
Levy is buried in Beth Olom Cemetery, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, associated with the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
Monticello
In 1834, Levy purchased Jefferson'sThomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
run-down plantation Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
for $2500 from Barclay, a pharmacist. Jefferson had left his beloved home to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph
Martha Jefferson Randolph
Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, and his wife Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson. She was born in Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia and was named in honor of her mother and of Martha Washington, wife of...
, upon his death in 1826. The estate was encumbered with more than $100,000 in debt and she had additional family financial difficulties due to her husband's debts. Martha Randolph gradually sold portions of the plantation's land and nearly all of the home's furniture and artifacts. She sold the Monticello property in 1831 to James Turner Barclay, a Charlottesville pharmacist.
Levy was a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson for his ideal freedom of religion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
. He had said of the president:
"I consider Thomas Jefferson to be one of the greatest men in history, the author of the DeclarationDeclaration of independenceA declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
and an absolute democrat. He serves as an inspiration to millions of Americans. He did much to mould our Republic in a form in which a man's religion does not make him ineligible for political or governmental life."
Levy purchased Monticello from Barclay and undertook to have the long-neglected home fully repaired, restored, and preserved. In addition, he bought an additional 2500 acres that had originally belonged to the plantation. He proudly showed off the property to visitors. Levy never made Monticello his permanent residence, as his Navy career and business commitments kept him primarily in New York. He used Monticello as a vacation home and moved his widowed mother, Rachel Levy, there in 1837. She became the steward of the estate until her death in 1839. She was buried along the walk approaching the main house.
In his will, Levy left Monticello to the American people to be used as an agricultural school for the orphans of Navy warrant officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
s. Upon his death in 1862, however, Congress refused to accept the donation due to the crisis caused by the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. During the war, the Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
government seized and sold the property. Levy's lawyers for his estate recovered the property after the war.
Following two lawsuits by family members over Levy's will, with 47 parties to the suit, in 1879 his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy
Jefferson Monroe Levy was a three-term U.S. Congressman from New York, a leader of the New York Democratic Party, and a renowned real estate and stock speculator....
bought out the other heirs and took control of Monticello. The war and lengthy lawsuits had caused neglect of the property. Jefferson Levy also spent an enormous amount of money repairing, restoring and preserving Monticello. He sold it in 1923 to a private non-profit group, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (then called the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation), which adapted the home and associated property as a museum. It began additional restoration and preservation work as well.
The history of the Levy family's role in preserving Monticello was downplayed by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation through much of the 20th century. Historians believe that is due to anti-Semitic views among its board and members, although the Levys had roots in the South
The South
-Geography:* Southern United States* South of England* South of France* South Italy* South Korea* Republic of Ireland* South Province * Global South, the developing nations of the world-Other uses:* The South , by Victor Erice...
since 1733. Not until the 1980s were the facts rediscovered about the critical private roles of two Levy men in preserving and restoring Monticello for the American public.
In 1985, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation restored the gravesite of Rachel Levy and recognized descendants of the family in a special ceremony. Since then, officials have created additional occasions to welcome members of the Levy family, and in 2001 the Foundation published a book on the role of Levy family in saving the plantation. The Foundation now openly celebrates Uriah P. Levy's role in helping restore a landmark of Virginia and United States' history. It includes information on site about his and his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy's roles in preserving the presidential home.
Jefferson statue
In another tribute to Jefferson, Levy commissioned a bronze statue of the President while studying naval tactics in France; he donated it to Congress in 1834. The piece currently stands in the Capitol Rotunda. The Levy statue is unique as the only privately commissioned piece of artwork in the CapitolUnited States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
, the rest were commissioned either by Congress or the States.
Marriage and family
Levy married, for the first time at the age of 61, his 18-year-old niece Virginia Lopez.Legacy and honors
- 1988, listed in the Jewish-American Hall of Fame
- 1959, the Jewish Chapel at Naval Station NorfolkNaval Station NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
in Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaNorfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
was renamed the "Commodore Levy Chapel" in Levy's honor. - 2001, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation published The Levy Family and Monticello 1834-1923, a history of the Levy family's nearly century-long contributions in saving Monticello.
- 2005, the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel opened at the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyThe United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, MarylandAnnapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, which is named in his honor. - The Cannon classCannon class destroyer escortThe Cannon class destroyer escorts were built primarily for ocean Anti-Submarine Warfare escort service during World War II. The lead ship, was commissioned on 26 September 1943 at Wilmington, Delaware. The class was also known as the DET type from their Diesel Electric Tandem drive. Of the 116...
destroyer escortDestroyer escortA destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
, the was named in his honor. - 2011 A statue of Uriah P. Levy has been installed at Mikveh Israel Synagogue on Independence Mall in Center City Philadelphia.
See also
- MonticelloMonticelloMonticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
- United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyThe United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
- Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel