Robert Jones Burdette was born in 1842 in Rensselaer, Indiana. He attended schools in Ohio and Indiana before receiving a classical education from the University of Michigan. In 1864, he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. After graduating in 1867, he became a member of the United States Navy and served at sea on the USS Kearsarge and USS Portsmouth
He was promoted to lieutenant and received command of his own ship in 1893. During the Spanish-American War he commanded the USS Connecticut and received a promotion to captain. He retired from active duty in 1900 and died on March 31, 1906.
There are two days about which nobody should ever worry and these are yesterday and tomorrow.Robert Jones Burdette
There are two days in the week about which and upon which I never worry.... One of these days is Yesterday ... And the other day I do not worry about is Tomorrow.Robert Jones Burdette
