Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough

Louis M. Goldsborough
Louis M. Goldsborough
Nickname(s)	"Guts"
Born	(1805-02-18)February 18, 1805 Washington, D.C.
Died	February 20, 1877(1877-02-20) (aged 72) Washington, D.C.
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1812-1873
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	Brazil Squadron North Atlantic Blockading Squadron European Squadron
Battles/wars	Aegean Campaign Battle of Doro Passage Mexican War Siege of Veracruz American Civil War Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries Battle of Roanoke Island Battle of Elizabeth City Battle of New Berne Battle of Fort Macon Peninsula Campaign
Relations	John R. Goldsborough (brother)
Other work	Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy

Aegean Campaign

Mexican War

American Civil War

Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough (February 18, 1805 – February 20, 1877) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He held several sea commands during the Civil War, including that of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He was also noted for contributions to nautical scientific research.

His younger brother, John R. Goldsborough, was also a U.S. Navy officer who served during the Civil War and who later became a commodore.

Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough was born in Washington, D.C in 1805, the son of a chief clerk at the United States Department of the Navy. He was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy by Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton on June 28, 1812. At the time of his appointment, he was seven years old, and Goldsborough did not actually begin serving until February 13, 1816, when he reported for duty at the Washington Navy Yard.

In 1831 Goldsborough married Elizabeth Wirt, daughter of William Wirt, U.S. Attorney General from 1817-1829. Together, they had three children: William, Louis, and Elizabeth.

In 1833, after helping lead German emigrants to Wirt's Estates near Monticello, Florida, Goldsborough took leave from the Navy to command a steamboat expedition, and later mounted volunteers in the Seminole War.