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Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was an American lawyer and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state. He unsuccessfully ran for president in the 1824, 1832, and 1844 elections.
Jun 29, 2024 · Henry Clay (born April 12, 1777, Hanover county, Virginia, U.S.—died June 29, 1852, Washington, D.C.) was an American statesman, U.S. congressman (1811–14, 1815–21, 1823–25), and U.S. senator (1806–07, 1810–11, 1831–42, 1849–52) who was noted for his American System (which integrated a national bank, the tariff, and ...
Apr 2, 2014 · Henry Clay was a 19th-century U.S. politician who served in Congress and as secretary of state under President John Quincy Adams.
- Early Life of Henry Clay. Henry Clay was born in Virginia on April 12, 1777. His family was relatively prosperous for their area, but in later years the legend arose that Clay grew up in extreme poverty.
- Henry Clay Became Speaker of the House. Clay turned the position of speaker of the house, which had been largely ceremonial, into a powerful position. The speaker could appoint members of congress to committee posts, and Clay turned that privilege into a powerful tool.
- The American System of Henry Clay. Clay had realized, while having to travel from Kentucky to Washington over very poor roads, that the United States had to have a better transportation system if it hoped to advance as a nation.
- Henry Clay and Slavery. In 1820, Clay's influence as speaker of the house helped bring about the Missouri Compromise, the first compromise that sought to settle the issue of slavery in America.
A pivotal Senate leader during the antebellum era, a period in Senate history marked by heated debates over slavery and territorial expansion, Clay first entered politics in Kentucky’s state house of representatives in 1803.
Henry Clay was appointed Secretary of State by President John Quincy Adams on March 7, 1825. Clay entered his duties on the same day and served until March 3, 1829. Famous as the “Great Pacificator” for his contributions to domestic policy, he emphasized economic development in his diplomacy.
Learn about Henry Clay, a prominent politician and nationalist who served as Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, and Senator. He was known as "the Great Compromiser" for his role in the Missouri Compromise, the Nullification Crisis, and the Compromise of 1850.
