Lynch, William F. (April 1, 1801 - October 17, 1865)

William F. Lynch (April 1, 1801 – October 17, 1865) was an American naval officer in the mid-19th century who led missions to the Middle East and Africa, producing important maps and information about the River Jordan, Dead Sea, and West African coast. A Virginia native, Lynch joined the Confederate States Navy at the start of the Civil War and saw action commanding naval defenses against Union Navy attacks, including at Vicksburg. He was paroled at the end of the war and died soon afterwards.