American naval officer, born in Virginia in 1769; died in Norfolk, VA, on the 21st of April 1851. As a boy he entered the United States service; was made lieutenant in the navy in 1798, captain in 1799, and commodore, in command of the Chesapeake, in June 1807, a vessel of 38 guns. His ship was met by the British frigate Leopard, of 50 guns, whose captain demanded the surrender, from among the American crew, of several alleged British deserters. To this demand Barron demurred, and the Leopard opened fire, killing 3 and wounding 18 of the Chesapeake’s men, and the latter, after firing but one gun, hauled down the American ensign, and, after a conference, the alleged deserters were carried away on the British vessel. The British government promptly repudiated the action of the captain of the Leopard, the alleged “deserters” were restored on board the Chesapeake, and a monetary indemnity paid to our government. Commodore Barron was tried by court-martial and suspended from rank and pay for five years. On the expiration of his term he was refused an active command, and kept on shore duty. In 1820 Commodore Decatur, having severely reflected on his conduct in the Chesapeake affair, was challenged by Barron to fight a duel, in which Decatur was killed and Barron severely wounded. In succession, Barron became senior officer of the United States navy in 1839.
