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. Later in his life, he became more and more nationalistic and convinced many other people. That made him one of the most famous orators and powerful Whig leaders of the Second Party System.

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	(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 did not like slavery but thought that it had had to be tolerated for the country to allow the country to stay together. He always supported national unity and harmony against various divisive schemes.

Webster became the northern member of a group known as the "Great Triumvirate," which included his colleagues Henry Clay from the West and John C. Calhoun from the South. Webster's "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally seen as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress."^[1]

Webster tried to keep the country from civil war and keep a firm peace. His efforts did not succeed, but he is still respected for them. He was officially named by the Senate in 1957 as one of its five best members.^[2]

Early life

Webster was born on January 18, 1782. His parents were Ebenezer and Abigail Webster (née Eastman) in Salisbury, New Hampshire, which is now part of the city of Franklin. He and his nine siblings grew up on his parents' farm. His great-great-grandfather was Thomas Webster^[3] (1631–1715), who was born in Ormesby St. Margaret, Norfolk, England, and settled in New Hampshire. As Daniel was a "sickly child," his family often let him have whatever he wanted and did not make him work on the farm.^[4]

Career

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 the other Democratic-Republican policies.

When the Federalist Party declined, he joined with other former Federalists and National Republicans to form the Whig Party.