Nathan Crook Twining was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin, January 17, 1869, to Nathan Crook Twining and his second wife, Mary Jane Rennie. His father served during the American Civil War in the 40th Wisconsin Infantry, Company C.
Twining graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1889, and married Caroline Baker the following year. In 1891 he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy and rose to the permanent rank of Rear Admiral in 1921. During the Spanish-American War he served on the USS Iowa (BB-4). Later he served as the executive officer of the USS Kearsarge (BB-5) when the ship was part of the "Great White Fleet" circumventing the globe. Twining was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance from June 7, 1911 to October 6, 1913 and during the bombardment of Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914 he commanded the USS Tacoma (CL-20). During World War I he served as Chief of Staff to Admiral William Sims commanding United States Naval Forces in European waters from 1917 to 1918 as well as serving on the Allied War Council. After the war he commanded the USS Texas (BB-35), 1918-1919; was chief of staff to the commander of the Pacific Fleet, 1919-1921; and served as naval attaché to the U.S. Embassy in London, 1921-1922. Twining retired in early 1923 and died July 4, 1924 in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He is buried with his wife in Arlington Cemetery.
Nathan C. Twining was the uncle of United States Air Force General Nathan F. Twining and United States Marine Corps General Merrill B. Twining, both of whom served during World War II.
In 1943 the destroyer USS Twining was named in his honor.
