William Wister McKean was born in Philadelphia, PA, 19 September 1800. The grandson of Pennsylvania governor and Declaration of Independence Signer Thomas McKean, he was appointed Midshipman 30 November 1814. In the War of 1812, McKean served on Java under Oliver Hazard Perry. He later served as commanding officer of schooner Alligator in Porter's squadron, suppressing piracy in the West Indies, 1821-22, subsequently commanding schooner Terrier. Commissioned Lieutenant 13 January 1825, he served aboard sloop Warren February 1827 to August 1830 and sloop Natchez in the Brazilian Squadron 1834-1835. Promoted to Commandeer 08 September 1841, McKean commanded brig Dolphin, as governor of the Naval Asylum 1843-1844, commanded sloop Dale 1846-1857, and frigate Raritan, the flagship of the Pacific Squadron 1852-1853. Promoted to Captain 14 September 1855, he served on special duty aboard steam frigate Niagara, conveying the Japanese legation back to their homeland. Returning to the United States at the outbreak of the Civil War, McKean was given the command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron in September 1861. The Gulf Squadron being too large, it was divided in half, David Farragut taking command of the West, and McKean retaining the East to June 1862. Placed on the retired list as Commodore, 16 July 1862, McKean served on the Naval & Marine Examining Board and special duty at Philadelphia. Commodore McKean died at "The Moorings," his home in Binghamton, New York, 22 April 1865. DD-90 was the first of two ships named in his honor.