The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Spencer, John Canfield

SPENCER, John Canfield, American lawyer, son of Ambrose Spencer (q.v.): b. Hudson, N. Y., 8 Jan. 1788; d. Albany, N. Y., 18 May 1855. He was graduated from Union College in 1806, was private secretary to Governor Tompkins in 1807-09 and in the latter year was admitted to the bar. In 1811 he became master in chancery, was appointed judge-advocate-general on the northern frontier in 1813 and assistant attorney-general of New York in 1815. He served in Congress in 1817-19, was a member of the State assembly in 1819—20, acting as speaker in the latter year, and in 1824-28 he was State senator. He was one of the commissioners to revise the statutes of the State of New York and was special attorney-general in the prosecution of the Masonic murder of William Morgan (q.v.). In 1839-41 he was Secretary of State and Superintendent of common schools and in the last-named year was appointed Secretary of War by President Tyler. He was transferred to the Treasury Department in 1843, but resigned in the following year because of his disapproval of the annexation of Texas. He thereupon resumed his law practice, was afterward a member of various State commissions, was actively instrumental in introducing an improved common school system, and the organization of the State asylum for idiots was due largely to his efforts. He edited, with preface and notes, Henry Reeve's translation of Tocqueville's ‘Democracy in America’ (2 vols., 1838), and was joint author of ‘Revision of the Statutes of New York’ (3 vols., 1846). Consult Proctor, ‘Review of John C. Spencer's Legal and Political Career’ (1886).