an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. He also attended the Constitutional Convention and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution. He represented New York in the United States Senate, served as Minister to Britain, and was the Federalist candidate for both Vice President (1804, 1808) and President of the United States (1816).
Background
In person, Mr. King was somewhat above the middle size, and well proportioned. His countenance was frank, manly, and beaming with intelligence. His orations and writings were remarkable for their condensation and force of style. His conversation was brilliant and varied. As a statesman, all parties agreed that he ranked among the first of his age.
Education
Graduated from Harvard, 1777.
Career
Aide to General Sullivan in exposition to Rhode Island in Revolutionary War. Member Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1782. Delegate Massachusetts General Court from Newburyport, 1783, 84, 85.
Member Continental Congress from Massachusetts, 1784-1787. Member United States Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, 1787. Member Massachusetts Convention to ratify United States Constitution, member of New York Assembly, 1789-1790.
Member United States Senate from New York, 1789-1796, 1813-1825. Director Bank of the United States, 1791. Minister to Great Britain, 1796-1703, 1825-1826.
Unsuccessful Federalist candidate for vice president United States, 1804. Author Navigation Act 1818. Member of New York Constitutional Convention, 1821.
Opposed admission of Missouri as a slave state, voted against Missouri Compromise, 1820. Proposed buying freedom of slaves with proceeds of sales of public lands.
Works
Other Work
Author Navigation Act 1818. Member of New York Constitutional Convention, 1821. Opposed admission of Missouri as a slave state, voted against Missouri Compromise, 1820.Proposed buying freedom of slaves with proceeds of sales of public lands.
Membership
Member Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1782. Member Continental Congress from Massachusetts, 1784-1787. Member United States Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, 1787.
Member Massachusetts Convention to ratify United States Constitution. Member United States Senate from New York, 1789-1796, 1813-1825. Member of New York Constitutional Convention, 1821.
Connections
Married Mary Alsop, March 30, 1786, children—John Alsop, Charles, James Gare.