Sharp Delany (c. 1739-1799), was a colonel in the American Revolutionary War[1] a legislator and the first Collector of Customs in Philadelphia, appointed by George Washington.

[20] In October 1789, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton asked the various collectors of customs about the need for boats to protect and ensure revenue collection.

[21] In April 1790, Hamilton asked Congress to create a Revenue Marine service with a fleet of ten small cutters.

Since Sharp Delany was evidently the first United States official to employ a vessel for the purpose of enforcing customs laws, a 1976 Naval Institute Proceedings article suggested he is the father of the Coast Guard.

Sharp Delany died on May 13, 1799, and is buried in St. Peter's Episcopal Church Yard in Philadelphia along with his wife, Margaret, and several of their children.