by U. S. Army Command and General Staff Col (Author)
Nearly a century after his death, the influence of Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan continues to fuel debate, discussion and research. As a prolific author, Mahan used the print media, the dominant form of communication in the early twentieth century, to influence the American public, government and the United States Navy. Although many studies have addressed his influence upon a specific topic, none have examined his influence through a single print media outlet. This study focuses on Mahan's use of the United States Naval Institute's magazine, Proceedings, from 1900-1914. An examination of Mahan's childhood, naval career and literary work provides the backdrop required to evaluate his influence upon the Navy through Proceedings. This study reveals that Mahan, a United States Naval Institute member, seldom used Proceedings, and therefore, limited his overall influence upon the Navy through the premiere naval magazine.