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JERRY KINSER Herald Staff Writer
Most of us have at least one historical figures who piques our imagination. For Capt. Elliott Ranney of Pass Christian that figure is John Paul Jones.
The character, career and charisma of the famed U.S. naval hero of the American Revolution has, in fact, fascinated Ranney for the past 45 years.
Now in retirement following' two stints in the Navy separated by a business career, Ranney has found the time to organize his thoughts and research on Jones into "John Paul Jones: A Romantic Biography."
The volume was published by Carlton Press of New York several weeks ago and Ranney will be busy the next several weeks with public appearances and autograph sessions.
"The book,? said Ranney, "is the logical outgrowth of my 'life-long interest in Jones.?
The nucleus of the book began with research Ranney conducted for a series of radio broadcasts he conducted on Jones in 1938, while he was stationed at Navy Headquarters in New York.
He said it was at this point he became "hooked on John Paul Jones.? After that, he conducted research on Jones in libraries all over the world, keeping volumes of carefully detailed notes, often uncovering little known facts.
About 10 years ago, following his retirement from the Navy, Ranney settled down in Pass Christiar
with his wife, Nannette, to whom the book is dedicated. He organized his notes, sharpened his creativity and began his fictionalized account of Jones? life.
Ranney is not quite sure which aspect of the naval hero?s life most fascinated him, but Jones' "I've not yet begun to fight? spirit had a lot to do with it.
?Jones was a study in frustration,? said Ranney. ?He never was paid much money for his efforts in behalf of the young United States and he died a poor man in Paris when he was 43. Yet, he was a very handsome man and was well known for his ?girl in every port? way of life.?
Ranney found Jones' romantic code quite inter->esting and believes the hero's way with women has ?iven Navy men ?an
undesirved reputation as lady ki.lers.
?Actually,? said Ranney, "Jones had a very moral outlook, even for his time.?
Ranney, a native of Clyde, Kan., and a graduate of Kansas State University in physics and math, has had many chances during his naval stints to indulge his passion for research into Jones' life.
During World War I, he served as a supply officer and made 15 trips in this capacity aboard the U.S.S. Orizaba, which carried troops to and from France, a country which figures predominantly in Jones? career.
Between world wars, Ranney was In business with various companies including Indies Navigation Co., Mid-Western Refininp-
Co. and Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Co.
Then, during World War II, he served as district, supply officer at Naval \ Headquarters, Third Na-? val District, New York City, and as the Commanding Officer of the Bayonne Supply Depot.
He later served with the1 Military Aid Program in' London and at Frankfurt,! Germany, before retiring with the rank of Captain in 1954.	1
Ranney's book begins with Jones? boyhood in Scotland and takes the reader through his career1 as a merchant sailor, midshipman, captain in the American Revolutionary1 Navy and admiral in the ! navy of Catherine the Great, slaver, smuggler, . pirate and actor.	|
Kanney admits manyj details of Jones' life are unknown and that he sup-j plied them from his imagi-: nation. He has a fine ear for dialogue and situa-' tions, and the people in his biography emerge as mul-j ti-faceted individuals. J
Ranney will conduct a' book review at the Pass Christian Public Library on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m., an-'* other book review for the Friends of the Gulfport*! Harrison County Library on the evening of Sept. 30, (followed by a week-long exhibit of the book at the( library) and an autograph, session on Oct. 1 at the Gift, & Book Shop in Gulfport from 10 a.m. to noon and: from 2 to 4 p.m.
"John Paul Jones: Ro-' mantic Biography" is a fit?J ting tribute to our nation?s* Bicentennial by a man who, thoroughly understands-and admires his subject.