About
Henry Wilson, born Jeremiah Jones Colbath in 1812 in New Hampshire, was a major American political figure of the 19th century. From a modest background, he became a shoemaker before entering politics. A founding member of the Free Soil Party and then the Republican Party, he served as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts from 1855 to 1873, chairing the Military Affairs Committee during the Civil War. He authored the bill abolishing slavery in Washington, D.C., in 1862 and supported the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Elected Vice President alongside Ulysses Grant in 1872, he suffered a stroke in 1873 that limited his effectiveness. He died in office in 1875.
* 1812-02-16 — † 1875-11-22
Major works
- History of the Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America (1872-1877)historical work
Key milestones
- 1833Legally changed his name from Jeremiah Jones Colbath to Henry Wilson.
- 1855Becomes U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.
- 1872Elected 18th Vice President of the United States on the ticket with Ulysses S. Grant.
Themes
Abolition of slaveryCivil War19th-century American politicsCivil rightsRadical Republicanism
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov · prod.millercenter.org