Timothy Pickering

American statesman (1745-1829)

Timothy Pickering (July 17, 1745 – January 29, 1829) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles, most notably as the third United States Secretary of State, serving in that office from 1795 to 1800 under Presidents George Washington and John Adams.

Timothy Pickering
2nd United States Postmaster General
In office
August 12, 1791 – January 1, 1795
PresidentGeorge Washington
Preceded bySamuel Osgood
Succeeded byJoseph Habersham
2nd United States Secretary of War
In office
January 2, 1795 – December 10, 1795
PresidentGeorge Washington
Preceded byHenry Knox
Succeeded byJames McHenry
3rd United States Secretary of State
In office
December 10, 1795 – May 12, 1800
PresidentGeorge Washington (1795-1797)
John Adams (1797-1800)
Preceded byEdmund Randolph
Succeeded byJohn Marshall
United States Senator
from Massachusetts
In office
March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1811
Preceded byDwight Foster
Succeeded byJoseph Varnum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815
Preceded byLeonard White
Succeeded byJeremiah Nelson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1817
Preceded byWilliam Reed
Succeeded byNathaniel Silsbee
Personal details
Born(1745-07-17)July 17, 1745
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJanuary 29, 1829(1829-01-29) (aged 83)
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyFederalist
Alma materHarvard College
ProfessionPolitician
Military service
Branch/serviceEssex County, Massachusetts Militia
Continental Army
Battles/warsAmerican Revolutionary War