Rodgers, John, 1812–82, American naval officer, b. Harford co., Md.; son of John Rodgers. He became (1828) a midshipman and saw varied service. He conducted (1852–56) exploring expeditions in the N Pacific, off the coast of China, and in the Arctic. In the Civil War he served on the Atlantic coast, taking part in the bombardment of Fort Darling (1862), the attack on Fort Sumter (1863), and the capture of the ironclad Atlanta. He commanded the Asiatic fleet (1870–72). Later he was in charge of the Mare Island navy yard (1873–77) and superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory (1877–82).
See biography by R. E. Johnson (1967).
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