Feathersworth

daring patriotic controversial

Feathersworth anchors the First Lady's contested family lineage as her direct ancestor, a captain whose privateering exploits draw a Boston Globe inquiry into Abbey Bartlet's Daughters of the American Revolution eligibility. Will Bailey dubs him a pirate for comic relief during a glacial crisis briefing, but C.J. Cregg corrects to privateer, underscoring his legitimate wartime role. This historical tie diffuses tension in Leo's office, blending personal heritage with political optics and prompting discreet staff intervention to affirm the lineage.

3 appearances

Also known as: Captain Feathersworth

Feathersworth's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

3 moments

S4E18 · Privateers

Kachadee Outburst — Leo Briefed on a Melting Glacier

Not present; functions as a narrative device — a disputed credential around which PR skirmishing occurs.

Feathersworth is named as the First Lady's ancestor and the subject of the Globe inquiry; his historical role is used to defuse or complicate the DAR complaint.

View full event

S4E18 · Privateers

From Melting Glacier to Media Triage

Not applicable; invoked to reframe and undercut the complaint with historical nuance.

Feathersworth is referenced as the First Lady's ancestor—a privateer turned humorous flashpoint in staff discussion—to defuse Marion's charge; the figure is historical shorthand, not an active participant.

View full event

S4E18 · Privateers

Pirates, Privateers, and the DAR Distraction

Not applicable — historical figure invoked as a rhetorical device to reframe controversy.

Feathersworth is referenced as the First Lady's ancestor brought up by the Globe tip; his privateering past becomes the semantic pivot (privateer vs. pirate) that C.J. seizes to defuse the …

View full event

Affiliation

United States Coast Guard