BIOGRAPHICA
Shaping History
Thomas Campbell
Thomas Campbell (1763-1854) WHO HE WAS: Thomas Campbell was a distinguished Presbyterian minister who became a significant figure in the Second Great Awakening in the United States. Originally from Ireland, Campbell’s advocacy for Christian unity and his challenge to rigid denominationalism marked him as a leading voice in the religious movement that swept across the nation, influencing a wave of religious enthusiasm and revivalism. WHAT HE SAID: “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent.” WHY HE MATTERED: Campbell’s leadership was instrumental in the Christian Restoration Movement, which sought to restore the early Christian church’s practices and unity. His work, along with that of his son Alexander Campbell, laid the foundation for the Disciples of Christ and influenced other non-denominational Christian efforts.
William Clark
William Clark (1770-1838) WHO HE WAS: William Clark was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, Clark came to national attention as the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, with Meriwether Lewis. Their epic journey westward across America to the Pacific Ocean contributed significantly to the mapping of the vast territories and paved the way for westward expansion. WHAT HE SAID: “As we passed on, it seemed as if those scenes of visionary enchantment would never have an end.” This sentiment from Clark’s journal captures the wonder of the Corps of Discovery’s monumental expedition. WHY HE MATTERED: Clark’s role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition was instrumental in expanding the United States’ knowledge of the newly acquired western territories post the Louisiana Purchase. His detailed maps and observations of the natural resources, geography, and indigenous peoples
Henry Clay
Henry Clay (1777-1852) WHO HE WAS: Henry Clay was a towering figure in American politics during the first half of the 19th century. Known as the “Great Compromiser” for his ability to diffuse sectional tension through well-crafted agreements, Clay served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary of State, and a prominent U.S. Senator. He was a leading war hawk for the War of 1812 and a founder of the Whig Party. WHAT S/HE SAID: “I would rather be right than be President.” This iconic statement reflects Clay’s staunch commitment to his principles and legislative priorities over political ambitions. WHY S/HE MATTERED: Clay’s impact on American politics is immense. His American System advocated for strong economic nationalism, a centralized Bank of the United States, and investments in infrastructure. His role in crafting key compromises, including the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, postponed the Civil War, albeit temporarily,
Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) WHO S/HE WAS: Grover Cleveland was both the twenty-second and twenty-fourth President of the United States. Cleveland is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897) and thus is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents. WHAT S/HE SAID: The ship of democracy, which has weathered all storms, may sink through the mutiny of those on board. WHY S/HE MATTERED: Despite pressure from American business interests in Hawaii, President Cleveland rejected annexation of the island Kingdom, leaving Hawaii nominally independent until the Spanish-American War, when, with the backing of President McKinley, Congress ratified an annexation treaty. In 1959 Hawaii would become the 50th state.
Thomas Cole
Thomas Cole (1801-1848) WHO HE WAS: Thomas Cole was a 19th-century artist and the founder of the Hudson River School of American landscape painting. An immigrant from England, Cole was captivated by the raw, natural beauty of the American landscape, which became the central subject of his work. His paintings are known for their romantic portrayal of the American wilderness. WHAT HE SAID: “To walk with nature as a poet is the necessary condition of a perfect artist.” WHY HE MATTERED: Cole is significant for his role in American art history as the progenitor of an artistic movement that celebrated the American landscape at a time when the nation was still young and forging its identity. His work inspired a generation of painters who sought to capture the sublime and untamed beauty of the American wilderness.
James Fenimore Cooper
James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) WHO HE WAS: James Fenimore Cooper was an iconic American writer known for his historical romances of frontier and Native American life. He is best remembered for his five-book Leatherstocking series, including “The Last of the Mohicans,” which vividly depicted the early American frontier and the clashes between Native American cultures and European colonizers. WHAT HE SAID: “The Americans want nothing but what is theirs by right, while on the other hand, the English never yield anything without being compelled to it.” WHY HE MATTERED: Cooper’s works are seen as a formative influence on American literature. He was one of the first major American novelists to include Native American characters in his stories, offering a complex view of the indigenous peoples and the impact of European settlement in North America.
Baron Eduard de Stoeckl
Eduard de Stoeckl (1804-1892) WHO S/HE WAS: Eduard de Stoeckl was a Russian diplomat best known today for having negotiated the American purchase of Alaska on behalf of the Russian government. He occasionally used the bogus title of Baron. WHY S/HE MATTERED: On March 30, 1867, the United States reached an agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for a price of $7.2 million. The Treaty with Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl. Critics of the deal to purchase Alaska called it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox.” Opposition to the purchase of Alaska subsided with the Klondike Gold Strike in 1896.
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) WHO HE WAS: Stephen Decatur was a United States naval officer and Commodore known for his heroic actions during the early 19th century, particularly in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. His daring exploits and leadership made him one of the most celebrated naval figures in American history. WHAT HE SAID: “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!” WHY HE MATTERED: Decatur’s naval victories boosted American morale and international prestige. He became a symbol of the young republic’s resilience and maritime strength, setting enduring standards for the U.S. Navy.
George Dewey
George Dewey (1860-1835) WHO S/HE WAS: George Dewey was Admiral of the Navy, the only person in United States history to have attained the rank. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War. WHAT S/HE SAID: To Charles Vernon Gridley, igniting the Battle of Manila Bay. You may fire when you are ready, Gridley. WHY S/HE MATTERED: When news of the victory in the Battle of Manila Bay reached the United States, Dewey became a national hero. Congress awarded him a promotion to real admiral and handed out citations to members of his fleet. Although he thought about running for president, he settled for writing accounts of his famous victory and publishing his autobiography in 1913.
Dorothea Dix
Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) WHO SHE WAS: Dorothea Dix was a pioneering American advocate for the mentally ill who revolutionized the way mental illness was perceived and treated in the United States. A teacher and nurse by profession, Dix dedicated her life to improving conditions for the mentally ill, lobbying for the establishment of more than 30 hospitals for their care. Her relentless advocacy led to widespread social reform and changed the landscape of mental health care in the 19th century. WHAT SHE SAID: “In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.” WHY SHE MATTERED: Dorothea Dix’s work mattered greatly because she highlighted the plight of the mentally ill at a time when they were grossly mistreated and misunderstood. She humanized those suffering from mental illness, advocating for compassionate care and specialized institutions. Her efforts
Sanford Dole
Sanford Dole (1844-1826) WHO S/HE WAS: Sanford B. Dole was a politician and jurist of Hawaii as a kingdom, protectorate, republic and territory. Conspired with Ambassador John L. Stevens to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy of Queen Liliuokalani. WHAT S/HE SAID: I cannot help feeling that the chief end of this meeting is plantation profits, and the prosperity of the counrty, the demands of society, the future of the Hawaiian race only comes secondarily if at all. WHY S/HE MATTERED: In 1893, Sanford B. Dole participated in a coup to depose the reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani. Following the coup, Dole was appointed president of a provisional government. U.S. President Grover Cleveland authorized an investigation into the matter and, concluded that Dole and others conspired with U.S. ambassador John L. Stevens to land United States Marine Corps, to forcibly remove the queen from power. When Cleveland demanded that she be
Stephen Douglas
Stephen Douglas (1813-1861) WHO HE WAS: Stephen Arnold Douglas was a prominent American politician from Illinois, best known for his series of debates with Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Illinois Senate race. Douglas, often dubbed the “Little Giant” for his diminutive stature but formidable political influence, was a leading advocate for the doctrine of popular sovereignty, which held that settlers should determine whether slavery would be allowed in a new U.S. territory. WHAT HE SAID: “Let the people rule!” The rallying cry of Douglas, emphasizing his belief that the citizens of a territory had the right to decide their own laws regarding slavery. WHY HE MATTERED: Douglas played a key role in the political landscape leading up to the Civil War. His support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the concept of popular sovereignty intensified the national debate over slavery and contributed to the fracturing of the Union.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass (c.1818-1895) WHO HE WAS: Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. Born into slavery in Maryland, he escaped in 1838 and rose to become a leading figure in the anti-slavery movement. Douglass’s eloquence and incisive antislavery writings, including his autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” profoundly affected the American discourse on slavery and human rights. WHAT HE SAID: “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” WHY HE MATTERED: Douglass’s impact on American history is immense. He advised presidents, lectured to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish home rule, and broke ground for African Americans in political positions. His life stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the fight for justice.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) WHO HE WAS: Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was seen as a champion of individualism and a prescient critic of the countervailing pressures of society. Emerson disseminated his thoughts through dozens of published essays and more than 1,500 public lectures across the United States. WHAT HE SAID: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” WHY HE MATTERED: Emerson is often remembered as one of the most influential figures in American thought and literature. His work has not only shaped the philosophy of transcendentalism but also provided the intellectual foundation for American civil disobedience and the concept of nonconformity.
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) WHO HE WAS: Millard Fillmore served as the 13th President of the United States. His presidency was marked by a mix of accomplishments and controversies. Fillmore signed the Compromise of 1850 into law, attempting to address the contentious issue of slavery in new territories. His leadership during this period reflected the challenges of maintaining national unity. WHAT HE SAID: Reflecting on his role in the Compromise of 1850, Fillmore stated: “God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.” WHY HE MATTERED: Millard Fillmore’s presidency occurred during a time of intense debate over slavery’s expansion. His decisions, while aiming to maintain peace, exposed the deep divisions within the nation. Fillmore’s legacy is a reminder of the complexities inherent in leadership during pivotal historical moments.
Charles Grandison Finney
Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875) WHO HE WAS: Charles Grandison Finney was a central figure in the Second Great Awakening, renowned as one of the most influential revivalist preachers in American history. His innovative methods and charismatic oratory drew massive crowds, leading to numerous conversions and a reshaping of American evangelicalism. His advocacy for social reforms, particularly the abolition of slavery and the promotion of women’s suffrage, intertwined his religious convictions with a quest for social justice. WHAT HE SAID: “A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God.” WHY HE MATTERED: Finney’s influence extended beyond the pulpit; he contributed significantly to the development of modern revival techniques and was instrumental in the formation of Oberlin College’s theology, which was a hotbed for abolitionist and reformist thought. His belief in the possibility of immediate, dramatic conversion shaped the emotional fervor of religious experience in the 19th century.