Inventor and businessman. The son of US Senator John Fabyan Parrott, Robert Parrott graduated third in his class at West Point in 1824 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the Creek Indian War and later in Ordnance Bureau and at West Point, attaining the rank of Captain before resigning in 1836. Building on his father's work as an inventor of naval guns, he began work as superintendent of a foundry in Cold Spring. In partnership with his brother Peter, Parrott soon purchased the foundry from his future brother-in-law Gouverneur Kemble and expanded it into the nation's largest. He continued to experiment with ordnance and in 1861 patented the Parrott Gun, a cannon with a rifled barrel that revolutionized warfare by enhancing the distance and accuracy of artillery and naval gunfire. His guns, available in a variety of sizes and mounts, were in high demand during the Civil War and were a key factor in the Union's victory. Parrott's later inventions included the Parrott Sight and the Parrott Fuse. In 1867, Parrott retired from management of the foundry, but continued experimenting with projectiles and fuses, remaining active in his workshop until his death. The West Point Foundry continued in operation until 1911, and many Parrott Guns are on display at museums, parks and military posts. The remnants of the West Point Foundry are maintained by the Scenic Hudson preservation organization and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inventor and businessman. The son of US Senator John Fabyan Parrott, Robert Parrott graduated third in his class at West Point in 1824 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the Creek Indian War and later in Ordnance Bureau and at West Point, attaining the rank of Captain before resigning in 1836. Building on his father's work as an inventor of naval guns, he began work as superintendent of a foundry in Cold Spring. In partnership with his brother Peter, Parrott soon purchased the foundry from his future brother-in-law Gouverneur Kemble and expanded it into the nation's largest. He continued to experiment with ordnance and in 1861 patented the Parrott Gun, a cannon with a rifled barrel that revolutionized warfare by enhancing the distance and accuracy of artillery and naval gunfire. His guns, available in a variety of sizes and mounts, were in high demand during the Civil War and were a key factor in the Union's victory. Parrott's later inventions included the Parrott Sight and the Parrott Fuse. In 1867, Parrott retired from management of the foundry, but continued experimenting with projectiles and fuses, remaining active in his workshop until his death. The West Point Foundry continued in operation until 1911, and many Parrott Guns are on display at museums, parks and military posts. The remnants of the West Point Foundry are maintained by the Scenic Hudson preservation organization and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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