Richmond Pearson Hobson

Richmond Pearson Hobson (August 17, 1870 - March 16, 1937) was the rear admiral of the U.S. Navy, who from 1907 to 1915 served as the U.S. representative from Alabama. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, he received an Honorary Medal years later for participating in this conflict. He was born in the Magnolia Grove in Greensboro, Hale County, in the west of the Alabama Black Belt. He was the son of Sarah Pearson and James M. Hobson. He was the nephew of Richmond Pearson (1852-1923) and grandson of justice of Richmond Mumford Pearson (1805-1878). He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1889. His midshipman comrades ostracized him for total abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. He retained an excellent academic track record, having received higher education in his class and became the midshipman of the highest rank: commander of the cadet battalion (today the brigade commander). After serving in Chicago, he underwent further training and was appointed assistant naval designer in 1891. Then Hobson served at various naval shipyards and facilities, including as an instructor at the Naval Academy.