King Ferdinand VII (1784-1833) WHO HE WAS: King Ferdinand VII was the King of Spain during a turbulent period of revolution and reconquest. His reign saw the Spanish colonies in America fight for independence, the invasion of Spain by Napoleonic France, and the consequential Spanish Constitution of 1812. WHAT HE SAID: “I am the king
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
Washington Irving (1783-1859) WHO HE WAS: Washington Irving was an American short story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is known as the first American man of letters, and he is credited with introducing the short story as a new genre in American literature. Irving is best remembered for
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
John Calhoun (1782-1850) WHO HE WAS: John C. Calhoun was an American statesman and political theorist from South Carolina, serving as the seventh Vice President of the United States under two different presidents. He was also a senator, a secretary of war, and a secretary of state. Calhoun was an ardent defender of states’ rights
William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) WHO HE WAS: William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States, an American military officer, and a politician. Known for his leadership during the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, he earned the nickname “Old Tippecanoe.” Harrison’s presidency, however, is most remembered for its brevity; he died of pneumonia
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.
