Memoirs of the Life of William Wirt by John P. Kennedy. John Pendleton Kennedy (October 25, 1795 - August 18, 1870) was an American novelist and Whig politician who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from July 26, 1852 to March 4, 1853. This book is a reproduction of the original book published in and may have some imperfections such as marks or hand-written notes.