Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 24, 1852) was an important American statesman. He first became famous because of his defense of New England shipping interests. In his life, he became more and more nationalistic, and convinced many people to become nationalists too. This made Webster one of the most famous orators and powerful Whig leaders of the Second Party System. Webster did not like slavery, but he thought it was more important for the Union (the United States) to stay together than anything else.
Daniel Webster | |
|---|---|
 Daguerreotype of Senator Webster circa 1847 | |
| 14th United States Secretary of State | |
| In office March 6, 1841 – May 8, 1843 | |
| President | William Henry Harrison John Tyler |
| Preceded by | John Forsyth |
| Succeeded by | Abel P. Upshur |
| 19th United States Secretary of State | |
| In office July 23, 1850 – October 24, 1852 | |
| President | Millard Fillmore |
| Preceded by | John M. Clayton |
| Succeeded by | Edward Everett |
| United States Senator from Massachusetts | |
| In office June 8, 1827 – February 22, 1841 | |
| Preceded by | Elijah H. Mills |
| Succeeded by | Rufus Choate |
| In office March 4, 1845 – July 22, 1850 | |
| Preceded by | Rufus Choate |
| Succeeded by | Robert C. Winthrop |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1823 – May 30, 1827 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Gorham |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Gorham |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's At-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1817 | |
| Preceded by | George Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Livermore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1782 Salisbury, New Hampshire |
| Died | October 24, 1852 (aged 70) Marshfield, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Federalist National Republican Whig |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Fletcher Webster Caroline LeRoy Webster |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
Webster became the northern member of a group known as the "Great Triumvirate". They included his colleagues Henry Clay from the west and John C. Calhoun from the south. His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally seen as "the most eloquent (powerful, fluent, well-spoken) speech ever delivered in Congress."[1] Webster tried to keep the nation from civil war, and make them have a firm peace. His efforts did not succeed, but he was still respected for them. He was officially named by the U.S. Senate in 1957 as one of its five best members.[2]
Early life
changeDaniel was born on January 18, 1782. His parents were Ebenezer and Abigail Webster (née Eastman) in Salisbury, New Hampshire, now part of the city of Franklin. He and his nine siblings grew up on his parents' farm. Daniel Webster's great-great-grandfather was Thomas Webster[3] (1631–1715). Thomas Webster was born in Ormesby St. Margaret, Norfolk, England and settled in New Hampshire. As Daniel was a "sickly (unhealthy) child", his family often let him have whatever he wanted and he didn't have to work on the farm.[4]
Career
changeDaniel Webster became a lawyer and politician. He was elected to Congress as a Federalist. He supported free trade, opposed both Abolitionism and the expansion of slavery, and opposed the War of 1812 and other policies of the Democrats. When the Federalist Party declined, he joined with other former Federalists and National Democrats to form the Whig Party (United States). Always Webster supported the unity and harmony of the nation against various divisive schemes.
References
change- ↑ Allan Nevins, Ordeal of the Union" (1947) 1:288
- ↑ "U.S. Senate: Art & History Home > People > Senators > The "Famous Five" Now the "Famous Nine"". senate.gov. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
- ↑ "Family History and Genealogy Records". FamilySearch.org. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ↑ "Daniel Webster." American Eras, Volume 5: The Reform Era and Eastern U.S. Development, 1815–1850. Gale Research, 1998. Student Resource Center. Thomson Gale. June 16, 2006.
Other websites
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- United States Congress. "Daniel Webster (id: W000238)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Daniel Webster at Find a Grave
- Works by Daniel Webster at Project Gutenberg