Durand, William Frederick
(05 March 1859–09 August 1958)
- Henry Lowood
Extract
Durand, William Frederick (05 March 1859–09 August 1958), engineer, was born in Beacon Falls, Connecticut, the son of William Leavenworth Durand and Ruth Coe, farmers. He grew up on the family’s farm near Derby, Connecticut. Exceptional enthusiasm for mechanical tinkering and outstanding mathematical ability inclined him toward training as an engineer. He entered the competition for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy, placed highly, and was admitted to the Naval Academy for the fall semester of 1876. As a midshipman, he ranked first in his senior class—second overall for his four years—and was placed in command of the academy’s engineering students. He graduated in 1880....
