Background

William John Duane was born on May 9, 1780 at Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. He was the son of William Duane and his wife, Catharine Corcoran. His early youth was passed in London where his father was employed as a printer, but in 1787 the latter went out to Calcutta to engage in newspaper work, and William John with his mother returned to Clonmel.

Education

In Clonmel Duane attended a private school for fifteen months—the only schooling he ever received, his mother having been his first teacher.

Career

When his father returned from India to become a Parliamentary reporter in London, the family was reunited there, and the boy frequently visited the gallery of the House of Commons to listen to the debates. When in 1796 William Duane moved his family to Philadelphia and assumed editorial charge of the True American, William John entered its composing room. Two years later, when the elder Duane became editor of the Aurora, he joined the staff of that newspaper, and commenced actively to interest himself in public affairs.

In 1806 he relinquished newspaper work, and became the partner of William Levis, a paper merchant.

He soon came to the front in local politics and in 1809 was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on the Republican—later Democratic—ticket.

In the same year he wrote, The Law of Nations, Investigated in a Popular Manner: Addressed to the Farmers of the United States.

In the legislature he was a prominent figure, being chairman of the Committee on Roads and Inland Navigation, and the committee to consider the case of Gideon Olmstead, but on seeking réélection in 1810 he was defeated owing to party dissensions.

In 1812 he retired from business to take up the study of law in Philadelphia, and was again elected to the legislature, where he resumed the chairmanship of the Committee on Roads and Canals.

He was admitted to the bar June 13, 1815, and through his political associations and diverse public interests, soon acquired an extensive legal connection.

He was a candidate for Congress in 1816 and for the state legislature in 1817, but the division in the Democratic party still continued and he was defeated on each occasion.

In 1819, however, amity was again obtained and he was elected to the State House of Representatives where he became chairman of the Committee on Banks.

He had in the previous year published, Observations on the Importance of Improving the Navigation of the River Schuylkill for the Purpose of Connecting it with the Susquehanna, and in the legislature he was indefatigable in promoting improvement of internal means of transportation and communication, becoming chairman of the select committee relating to domestic economy and gen. Duane Dubbseral stagnation of business.

In 1820 he was appointed prosecuting attorney for the mayor’s court, a position which he retained for three years, his only fault, it was said, being his leniency to petty offenders.

In 1824 he refused a nomination for Congress but later resumed his political activities, becoming a member of the Democratic Committee of Correspondence for Philadelphia in 1828.

In 1829 he was chosen a member of the Select Council of Philadelphia.

In May 1833 he accepted the office of secretary of the treasury in Jackson’s cabinet and entered upon his duties June 1.

He refused, however, to make the transfer prior to the meeting of Congress, and was accordingly dismissed by the President, September 23, having held office less than four months.

Duane in 1834 vindicated his conduct in a pamphlet addressed to the people of the United States and subsequently published a well-documented statement of the history of his appointment, tenure of office, and the circumstances of his dismissal entitled, Narrative and Correspondence Concerning the Removal of the Deposites and Occurrences Connected Therewith (1838).

He returned to Philadelphia and practically withdrew from public life but did not resume active practise, only occasionally accepting retainers in the orphan’s court from old clients.

The last public office which he held was that of director of Girard College.

Achievements

• Duane wrote The Law of Nations.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Narrative and Correspondence Concerning the Removal of the Deposites: And Occurrences Connected Therewith

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • Letters, Addressed to the People of Pennsylvania Respecting the Internal Improvement, of the Commonwealth; by Means of Roads and Canals

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • The Law Of Nations: Investigated In A Popular Manner : Addressed To The Farmers Of The United States

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

Personality

Despite his desultory education Duane possessed a broad, though not profound, culture and a wide acquaintance with current thought.

Connections

William's wife was Deborah, daughter of Richard Bache of Philadelphia and grand-daughter of Franklin.

Father:

William Duane

Mother:

Catharine Corcoran

Wife:

Deborah

Deborah Bache

Friend:

Stephen Girard