American naval officer, born at Philadelphia on the 28th of February 1783; died there on the 1st of October 1848. He entered the navy and saw service on board the Philadelphia and Wasp, and was commander of the captured Frolic. He was made prisoner near Tripoli, while on board the wrecked Philadelphia, and just after receiving command of the Frolic, the ship and crew fell into British hands. On being exchanged, Captain Biddle’s rank was raised and he was given command of the Hornet. He captured the Penguin, and then sailed for the Cape of Good Hope. He had a narrow escape from a British ship-of-war, which followed so closely that he had to throw his guns overboard. On returning to New York many honors were bestowed on him for his fine seamanship and gallant conduct. Subsequently he saw much active service, commanding the Mediterranean squadron in 1831, and in 1845 the East India squadron, which sailed to China to make a treaty with that country. He acted for the United States in the Oregon boundary question in 1818, and negotiated a treaty with Turkey in 1826.
