Background
Seward, William Henry was born on May 16, 1801 in Florida, New York, United States. Son of Doctor Samuel S. and Mary (Jennings) Seward.
Seward, William Henry was born on May 16, 1801 in Florida, New York, United States. Son of Doctor Samuel S. and Mary (Jennings) Seward.
Graduate Union College, 1820. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Yale, 1854.
Admitted to New York bar, 1822. Practiced law, Auburn, New York. Member of New York State Senate, 1830-1834.
Unsuccessful Whig candidate for government New York, 1834, governor, 1838-1842. Member United States Senate as Whig, 1849-1855, as Republican, 1855-1861, used phrase “a higher law than the Constitution” in speech of March 11, 1850, urging senators to consider moral as well as legal aspects of slavery. Favored abolition only by constitutional means.
Denounced Dred Scott decision. Declared slavery an “irrepressible conflict” in speech, Rochester, New York, October 25, 1858. Aspired to Republican nomination for United States President, 1860.
United States secretary of state (appointed by President Lincoln), 1861-1869. Advocated war with Spain and France to solidify Union, flattered Northern opinion to avoid war with England, freed James.
Member of New York State Senate, 1830-1834. Member United States Senate as Whig, 1849-1855, as Republican, 1855-1861, used phrase “a higher law than the Constitution” in speech of March 11, 1850, urging senators to consider moral as well as legal aspects of slavery.
Married Frances Miller, October 10, 1824, 3 sons including Frederick William, 2 daus.