Background
Poinsett, Joel Roberts was born on March 2, 1779 in Charlestown (now Charleston), South Carolina, United States. Son of Doctor Elisha and Ann (Roberts) Poinsett.
Poinsett, Joel Roberts was born on March 2, 1779 in Charlestown (now Charleston), South Carolina, United States. Son of Doctor Elisha and Ann (Roberts) Poinsett.
Attended medical school of St. Paul’s School, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1796-1800. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Columbia, 1825.
United States special agent in Rio de la Plata and Chile, 1810-1814. Member South Carolina. House of Representatives, 1816-1820.
Chairman South Carolina. Board Public Works, 1818-1820. Member United States House of Representatives from South Carolina., 17th-18th congresses, 1821-1825.
Made special mission to Mexico, 1822-1823. 1st American minister to Mexico, 1825-1830. Unsuccessful leader Unionist party in South Carolina., 1830-1833.
Largely responsible for raising South Carolina. Militia to defend Unionist cause. United States secretary of war, 1837-1841, improved status of the United States Army, proposed plan for universal military training and frontier defense, organized general staff, improved artillery, strengthened United States Military Academy, removed more than 40,000 Indians to territory West of Mississippi River, directed war against Seminole Indians in Florida.
A foundeer National Institute for Promotion of Science and Useful Arts, 1840. Developed poinsettia from a Mexican flower. Author: Notes on Mexico, 1824.
Member South Carolina. House of Representatives, 1816-1820. Member United States House of Representatives from South Carolina., 17th-18th congresses, 1821-1825.
Married Mary (Izard) Pringle, October 24, 1833.