NEWPORT, R.I. - Rear Adm. Walter E. “Ted” Carter Jr., president, U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, announced April 11 the approved renaming of NWC’s International Law Department to NWC’s Stockton Center for the Study of International Law.
The renaming serves as an opportunity to capture the NWC’s rich history of international law and instill a sense of heritage to students, staff and faculty.
Rear Adm. Charles Herbert Stockton is recognized as the Navy’s first uniformed expert in international law.
Since 1884, international law has been proudly taught on the deckplates of NWC. In 1891, Stockton was assigned to NWC and lectured on international law, authored a book on international law, wrote the first code of law of naval warfare and began a tradition of uniformed legal officers at NWC. In 1898, Stockton returned to Newport and served as president NWC until 1901.
In 1951, a chair of law was established at NWC and in 1967, the secretary of the Navy designated it the Stockton Chair. Today, it is considered the most senior chair of international law and conflict studies in the world.