When raised on vessels and in seafaring circumstances American flag is one of the most recognized symbols around the world. It’s a powerful emblem of liberty, resilience, and national pride. Of the many terms used to describe the Stars and Stripes, few are more affectionate or historically rich than “Old Glory.” But how did this enduring nickname originate, and why has it stood the test of time?
The story of Old Glory begins not in Washington, D.C., or on a battlefield, but with a humble American sea captain and the flag he proudly carried around the world.
Captain William Driver of Massachusetts
The term “Old Glory” was coined in 1831 by Captain William Driver, a merchant seaman originally from Salem, Massachusetts. Driver began his seafaring career as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks to become a respected ship master. At age 28, he was given command of the merchant brig Charles Doggett for a voyage around the world.
As preparations were underway to set sail, Driver’s mother and a group of women from his family sewed him a large American flag. This hand-made flag measured approximately 10 by 17 feet and featured 24 stars — one for each state in the Union at the time.
When the flag was first hoisted aboard his ship, Driver was deeply moved. According to his later recollections, he emotionally exclaimed: Old Glory! From that moment forward, the nickname became personally tied to both the flag and its captain.
A Flag That Sailed the World
As master of the Charles Doggett, Driver flew Old Glory proudly from his ship’s mast. His voyages took him through dangerous waters and distant ports. The flag became a powerful emblem not just of nationality, but of safe passage, freedom, and strength.
Though brigs like the Charles Doggett were sometimes used in naval service and armed with guns, Driver’s vessel was a merchant ship — trading cargo on global routes rather than engaging in battle.
After retiring from the sea in 1837, Driver settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where he brought his beloved flag with him. Living as a Unionist in a state that would later join the Confederacy, Driver’s patriotism became increasingly significant.
“Old Glory” and the Civil War
As Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861, tensions escalated for known Union sympathizers like Driver. Fearing that Confederate sympathizers might try to destroy or confiscate his treasured flag, he reportedly sewed it into a coverlet (quilt) to keep it hidden and safe.
In 1862, Union forces under General William “Bull” Nelson retook Nashville. When the Union troops arrived, Driver retrieved Old Glory from its hiding place and presented it to the soldiers. According to multiple eyewitness accounts later verified by Union officials, the flag was then raised over the Tennessee State Capitol — a symbolic reclaiming of Union presence in the South. While some historians debate whether the Capitol flag was the original “Old Glory,” the moment electrified the Union cause and brought national attention to the story.
A Legacy Preserved
After the war, Captain Driver remained in Nashville until his death in 1886. As the story of Old Glory spread across the country, Driver’s fame grew. But a dispute emerged over the rightful ownership of the original flag.
Driver’s daughter, Mary Jane Roland, claimed to have the original and eventually donated it to the Smithsonian Institution, where it became part of the National Museum of American History’s permanent collection. Due to its size and age, the flag is too fragile for regular display but is preserved as a national treasure.
Meanwhile, Driver’s nieces in Massachusetts claimed that they had the truly original Old Glory, and their version is now housed at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. The authenticity of each flag remains a subject of historical debate, but both are viewed as important artifacts.
What Old Glory Represents Today
Today, Old Glory is more than just a nickname — it’s an enduring expression of deep respect for the American flag and everything it represents. The name reflects the flag’s journey through peace and war, from merchant voyages to battlefields, from statehouses to porches across the country.
Old Glory has been immortalized in poetry, song, political speeches, and memorials. Its emotional power lies not only in its very fabric but in the story of Captain Driver and his unwavering loyalty to the Union.
The nickname may have started with a single man and his sea-bound adventures, but it quickly came to represent the spirit of a nation. As long as the Stars and Stripes continue to fly, the legacy of “Old Glory” will live on — honoring a sailor’s pride, a country’s struggle, and the values that bind the United States together.
