TRACING ‘THE MOST BURIED MAN IN THE WORLD’: JOHN PAUL JONES, SCOTLAND AND THE US.

This article examines the complex 20th-century legacy and historical memory of John Paul Jones, the Scots-born naval commander often called the "Father of the US Navy." It explores how Jones' reputation has been variably constructed and contested in both Scotland and the United States, highlighting his commemoration through statues, museums, and archival materials, as well as the ambiguities surrounding his status and recognition. The research traces Jones' origins in southwest Scotland, his life in Virginia, and his posthumous reburial at the US Naval Academy, while considering how his image has been used in cultural diplomacy and regional identity. The article underscores the transnational and sometimes contradictory nature of Jones' remembrance across different communities and time periods.