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William Henry Seward


W

illiam H. Seward is known best for negotiating the purchase of Alaska in March 1867, known at the time as “Seward’s Folly.” Seward was also a devoted father of five children, a loyal husband, an ethical lawyer, a dedicated abolitionist, and Secretary of State for two presidents: Lincoln and Johnson. His name is often overlooked, but Seward did many notable acts in his life. He assisted Harriet Tubman by selling land to her in Auburn, New York, for her home. His house served as a post for the Underground Railroad. He believed in freedom and the Northern cause during the Civil War. Seward was almost killed on the night Lincoln was assassinated, as he was stabbed several times by Booth’s co-conspirator, Lewis Powell. Seward dedicated his life to the United States, and the people and causes he believed in.

Timeline

Birth- May 16, 1801
Florida, Orange County, New York

1 Source·1 other

Marriage- Oct 20, 1824-Age: 23 years
Frances Miller
Auburn, New York
Governor: To
Dec 31, 1842
Governor: Place
Albany, NY
Governor: From
Jan 1, 1839
Gender
Male
United States Senator: Representing
New Work
United States Senator: Place
Washington DC
United States Senator: From
Mar 4, 1849
United States Senator: To
Mar 3, 1861
Purchase of Alaska: Date
Mar 30, 1867
Secretary of State: From
Mar 5, 1861
Secretary of State: To
Mar 4, 1869
Secretary of State: Place
Washington DC

2 Source·2 other

Elected the first Whig Party governor of New York
Jan 1, 1838
Delivers the “Higher Law” speech
Jan 1, 1850
Elected to four-year term in New York State Senate
Jan 1, 1830
Retires from the State Department
Jan 1, 1869
Visits Europe with his father
Jan 1, 1833
Serves as land agent for the Holland Land Company
Jan 1, 1836
Sells 7 acres of land in Auburn to Harriet Tubman
Jan 1, 1859
Travels around the world
Teaches for six months in Georgia
Jan 1, 1819
Attacked in his bed by Lewis Powell
Apr 14, 1865
Becomes U.S. Senator for New York
Jan 1, 1849
Becomes a junior partner in Miller law firm
Jan 1, 1823
Negotiates the purchase of Alaska from Russia
Mar 30, 1867
Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Jan 1, 1854
Becomes Lincoln’s Secretary of State
Jan 1, 1861
Graduates from Union College, trains for law
Jan 1, 1820
Defends William Freeman using the insanity plea
Jan 1, 1846
Accepted to the New York State Bar
Jan 1, 1821
Joins sophomore class at Union College
Jan 1, 1816

2 Source·2 other

Death- Oct 10, 1872-Age: 71 years
Auburn, New York

1 Source·1 other

Other Facts

Mother
Mary Jennings Seward
Father
Samuel Sweezy Seward

1 Source·1 other

Augustus Henry Seward
1826-1876
Cornelia Seward
1836-1837
Frederick William Seward
1830-1915
Frances Adeline "Fanny" Seward
1844-1866
William Henry Seward, Jr.
1839-1920

1 Source·1 other

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Created:Mar 2, 2009

Modified: Apr 8, 2015

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