Background
Washburne, Elihu Benjamin was born on September 23, 1816 in Livermore, Maine, United States. Son of Israel and Martha (Benjamin) Washburn.
Washburne, Elihu Benjamin was born on September 23, 1816 in Livermore, Maine, United States. Son of Israel and Martha (Benjamin) Washburn.
Attended Harvard Law School, 1839-1840.
Admitted to Massachusetts bar, 1840. Settled in Galena, Illinois, 1840. Nominated Henry Clay for United States President, Whig National Convention, Baltimore, 1844.
Member United States Ho of Reps from Illinois, 33d-41st congresses, 1853-1869, chairman, commission on commerce and on appropriations for 2 years, proposed Grant’s name as brigadier general United States Volunteers, sponsored hills by which Grant was made Lieutenant general, then general. United States secretary of state under Grant, March 5-16, 1869. United States minister to France, 1869-1877, only official representative of foreign government to remain in Paris throughout seige and Commune.
President Chicago History Society, 1884-1887. Edited papers of Governor Ninian Edwards, 1884. Author: Recollections of a Minister to France, 1869-1877. published 1887.
Member United States Ho of Reps from Illinois, 33d-41st congresses, 1853-1869, chairman, commission on commerce and on appropriations for 2 years, proposed Grant’s name as brigadier general United States Volunteers, sponsored hills by which Grant was made Lieutenant general, then general.
Married Adele Gratiot, July 31, 1845, 7 children.