Background
Sumner, Charles was born on January 6, 1811 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Charles Pinckney and Relief (Jacob) Sumner.
Sumner, Charles was born on January 6, 1811 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Charles Pinckney and Relief (Jacob) Sumner.
A. B., Harvard, 1830, graduated from Harvard Law School 1833, honorary Doctor of Laws.
Admitted to Massachusetts bar, 1834. Lecturer Harvard Law School, 1835-1837. Toured Europe gaining acquaintance with leaders in political life, 1837-1840.
Gained reputation as orator, 1840’s. A founder Free-Soil Party, 1848. Member United States Senate from Massachusetts, 1851-1874.
Became anti-slavery leader in Senate, delivered several notable speeches opposing fugitive slave laws, Kansas-Nebraska Act. An organizer Republican Party in Massachusetts. Castigated many prominent Democratic senators in Crime of Kansas speech, 1856 (resulted in caning on Senate floor by Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina.
Injuries suffered in attack resulted in 3 year absence from Senate). Returned to Senate floor, 1859, delivered Barbarism of Slavery speech condemning slavery on moral, economics and social grounds. Opposed Washington (District of Columbia) Peace Conference (held February 1861).
Chairman Senate foreign relations committee, 1861-1871, urged release of.
Member United States Senate from Massachusetts, 1851-1874.
Married Mistress.