Benjamin Stoddert ( 1744 -- December 18 , 1813 ) was the first United States Secretary of the Navy from May 1 , 1798 to March 31 , 1801 .
Benjamin Stoddert ( 1751 -- December 13 , 1813 ) was the first United States Secretary of the Navy from May 1 , 1798 to March 31 , 1801 .