Daniel Webster
14th and 19th United States Secretary of State (1782–1852) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
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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 | (1782-01-18)January 18, 1782 Salisbury, New Hampshire |
Died | October 24, 1852(1852-10-24) (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]