MacDonough Craven

MacDonough Craven, often mistaken as McDonough Craven, (November 11, 1858 – February 2, 1919) was an American naval officer, engineer, and politician. Born into a highly respected naval family, Craven was raised in Maryland and New York and in 1876 was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. While at the academy, he was a below-average student, finishing 55th out of a class of 72. He was, however, a member of the school's inaugural football team and later helped chronicle the academy's football program. He graduated from the academy in 1883 and was given a discharge the same year.

Following his naval service, Craven returned to New York and worked as an engineer on a number of transportation and sanitation projects. He was a long-time assistant of sanitation pioneer George E. Waring, Jr. Craven served for a brief period of time in the Brazilian navy during 1894, and returned to serve in the U.S. navy during the Spanish-American War. During the turn of the century, he rose through the ranks of New York City's sanitation department, eventually being appointed its commissioner in 1906. He served only for a few months; his predecessor had left the department in poor condition. Craven resigned in 1907 after a garbage collectors' strike. His health began to decline shortly afterwards and Craven died in 1919 at the age of 60.

Family and Naval Academy
Craven was born on November 9, 1858, in Annapolis, Maryland.

Naval service and assistant engineer
Craven was honorably discharged in 1883, but later served during the Spanish-American War and spent a short time in the Brazilian navy. He was for several years an assistant to George E. Waring, Jr., an engineer and sanitation expert.

Politics and later life
During the early 1900s, Craven moved up through the ranks of the New York City Sanitation Department, eventually spending about six months as its commissioner, until a strike forced him to resign.

Personal life
Craven was married and had four children. He was a noted Freemason.