A paper exploring themes of homosexuality in naval adventure literature has been withdrawn from a Naval Academy history symposium, igniting controversy and accusations of censorship. Professor Seth Stein LeJacq of Hunter College received notice on June 4, 2023 that his invitation to present at the McMullen Symposium was rescinded. He asserts that this decision has more to do with political biases than academic merit.
The withdrawal of LeJacq’s paper occurred just one day after Tom McCarthy, chair of the Naval Academy’s history department, resigned. In his resignation letter, McCarthy indicated that he had been ordered to remove LeJacq’s paper “for reasons having nothing to do with scholarship,” which he deemed a breach of trust. He did not respond to inquiries regarding whether LeJacq’s paper was the catalyst for his resignation.
Alumni of the Naval Academy have expressed discontent over the decision. William Marks, co-founder of Operation Caged Bird, criticized the act as inconsistent with the academy’s principles. Marks stated, “The largest regular meeting of naval historians in the world requires that all perspectives be given fair and equal review — not just ones approved by the Trump administration.”
Since taking office, the Trump administration has guided a shift at the Naval Academy, focusing on implementing policies aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Under the direction of Pete Hegseth, the academy has altered its curriculum, library resources, and admissions policies in response to an executive order titled “Restoring America’s Fighting Force.”
The McMullen Symposium, scheduled for September 18-19, 2023, in Annapolis, is recognized as a key event for naval historians. LeJacq’s paper, entitled “Liberation, Homophobia, and Historical Memory: Queer Pasts and Futures in Historical Naval Adventure Fiction,” was accepted in May. His research aimed to examine how authors like Patrick O’Brian, known for the “Master and Commander” series, portrayed gender and sexuality in their works.
In a conversation with a Naval Academy staff member, LeJacq was informed that the decision to uninvite him was not based on the quality of his work. “The problem here is not fellow academics,” he stated. “The problem is the Department of Defense and the presidential administration. That’s where the censorship is coming from.”
The biennial symposium, which began in 1973, brings together scholars from around the globe to present and discuss the latest research in naval and maritime history. LeJacq expressed his desire for feedback and critique during the symposium, emphasizing the importance of open discourse in academic settings.
LeJacq holds a bachelor’s degree in history and government from Cornell University and a doctorate in the history of medicine from Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on early-modern Britain, as well as the history of medicine, gender, and sexuality. In 2016, he completed a dissertation on sexuality within British naval culture and is currently working on a book regarding sex and gender in the British Navy from the 1600s to the mid-1800s.
In a letter dated June 3, 2023, McCarthy articulated that the withdrawal of LeJacq’s paper undermined the academy’s commitment to academic integrity. He stated, “This order amounts to shaping conference content for reasons having nothing to do with scholarship. While I keenly understand the difficulties of our moment, vetting speakers and papers is not a good place to be for an American institution of higher education.”
The interim chair of the history department, Cmdr. Ryan Mewett, has not provided a comment on the matter. The withdrawal of LeJacq’s paper reflects a broader trend observed under the Trump administration, which has sought to eliminate DEI-related content from the academy.
Earlier this year, the Naval Academy removed a list of 381 books from its library as part of a review of DEI materials, following directives from Hegseth’s office. Mistakes were made during this process, including the erroneous removal of photos honoring female Jewish leaders. Following a public outcry, many of the removed texts were returned to the library.
The academy’s first female superintendent was replaced last month, a move critics claim was politically motivated. LeJacq has challenged the decision-makers to engage with his research, asserting that it merits evaluation based on its academic contribution, rather than the themes it addresses. “I stand by it. It should be judged on its merits, not just because of the topic or a word they don’t like in the title,” he remarked.
