Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Seward, William Henry

SEWARD, WILLIAM HENRY, an American statesman; born in Florida, Orange co., N. Y., May 16, 1801. He studied for the bar, and began practicing in Auburn in 1823, but gradually drifted into politics, and in 1830 was elected a member of the New York Senate. Displaying marked abilities as a politician, he was in 1838 and 1840 chosen governor of his native State, and in 1849 was elected to the United States Senate. He was the friend and adviser of President Taylor, and distinguished himself by his firm resistance to the extension of slavery. In 1860 he was a candidate for the presidency, but being defeated in the convention by Abraham Lincoln he exerted himself to secure Lincoln's election. Lincoln afterward appointed Seward Secretary of State, in which post he discharged his duties with great ability, showing notable tact in dealing with Great Britain in the “Trent Affair,” inducing France to withdraw her troops from Mexico, and effecting the cession to the United States by Russia of Alaska (1867). He was dangerously wounded in April, 1865, when President Lincoln was assassinated, but recovered and filled the same office under Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson. He resigned his post on the accession of President Grant in 1869. He wrote a “Life of John Quincy Adams”; his “Speeches, Correspondence, etc.,” appeared in 1869; and an “Autobiography,” with continuation, in 1877. He died in Auburn, Cayuga co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1872.