Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1782 - 1852

Biography

Daniel Webster was born on January 18, 1872 in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801, after which he began the study of law under Thomas W. Thompson and Christopher Gore. In 1805, he opens a law practice in Boscawen, New Hampshire where he stayed there until 1807. As a result of his opposition to the War of 1812, Webster is elected to the New Hampshire House of Representative in 1813 where he served until 1817. In 1816, he moves to Boston and is elected to the Massachusetts House of Representative (1823-1827) and the Senate (1827-1841 and 1845-1850). As a senator, he was a spokesman for American nationalism with powerful oratory that made him a key Whig leader. He spoke for conservatives and led the opposition to Democrat Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party, firmly challenging Jackson's policies in the Bank War. From 1841 to 1843 and 1850 to 1852, Webster served as the United States Secretary of State. As a diplomat, he is best known for negotiating the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 with Great Britain which established the Canada–United States border east of the Rocky Mountains. As a lawyer, Webster was highly regarded in the courtroom, shaping several key US Supreme Court cases that established important constitutional precedents and bolstered the authority of the federal government. One of the cases he argued was the Dartmouth College case in 1819. The case arose when the president of Dartmouth College was deposed by its trustees, leading to the New Hampshire legislature attempting to force the college to become a public institution and thereby place the ability to appoint trustees in the hands of the governor of New Hampshire. The Supreme Court upheld the sanctity of the original charter of the college, which pre-dated the creation of the State. The landmark case is considered one of the most important in United States history as it affirmed that the Constitution's contract clause protected private corporations from government interference. Webster died October 24, 1852.

Found in 2044 Collections and/or Records:

A blank passport signed by Daniel Webster as secretary of state

Webster Mss 000016
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 000016
Date(s): undated
Abstract

In English.

A. Calderon de la Barca letter

Webster Mss 851604
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 851604
Date(s): 1851-11-04
Abstract

In English.

A. Howard Scott letter

Webster Mss 850215.1
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 850215.1
Date(s): 1850-03-15
Abstract

In English.

A. Martin letter

Webster Mss 850165.2
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 850165.2
Date(s): 1850-02-15
Abstract

In English.

Aaron Loveland letter

Webster Mss 807164
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 807164
Date(s): 1807-02-14
Abstract

In English.

Abbott Lawrence leter

Webster Mss 846454
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 846454
Date(s): 1846-08-04
Abstract

In English.

Abbott Lawrence letter

Webster Mss 842607
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 842607
Date(s): 1842-11-07
Abstract

In English.

Abbott Lawrence letter

Webster Mss 852156
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852156
Date(s): 1852-02-06
Abstract

In English.

Abbott Lawrence letter

Webster Mss 852115
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852115
Date(s): 1852-01-15
Abstract

In English.

Abraham Hinds letter

Webster Mss 807415
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 807415
Date(s): 1807-07-15
Abstract

In English.