Hannibal Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin was an American politician born on August 27, 1809, in Paris Hill, Maine. He emerged as a significant political figure in the 19th century, known for his strong opposition to slavery and active engagement in antislavery legislation. Initially part of the Democratic Party, Hamlin's political journey included serving in the Maine House of Representatives and the U.S. House of Representatives, where he supported measures like the Wilmot Proviso aimed at preventing the expansion of slavery. In 1857, he shifted to the Republican Party and became a U.S. Senator, eventually being chosen as Abraham Lincoln's vice presidential running mate in 1860.
Although his role as vice president was limited, Hamlin played a part in guiding Lincoln toward the Emancipation Proclamation. He left the vice presidency in 1864 and later held various positions, including a brief stint as the collector of the port of Boston. Hamlin's political career was marked by his unwavering commitment to antislavery causes, and he continued to be active in politics until his retirement in 1882. He passed away on July 4, 1891, leaving behind a legacy tied to the abolitionist movement and the early Republican Party.
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Hannibal Hamlin
Politician, lawyer
- Born: August 27, 1809
- Birthplace: Paris Hill, Maine
- Died: July 4, 1891
- Place of death: Bangor, Maine
Education: Hebron Academy
Significance: Hannibal Hamlin was an American politician and lawyer. He served in Maine's House of Representatives, the US House of Representatives, and the US Senate. Hamlin became known for supporting antislavery legislation and eventually served as vice president of the United States under President Abraham Lincoln.
Background
Hannibal Hamlin was born on August 27, 1809, in Paris Hill, Maine. He was the son of Cyrus Hamlin, a doctor and farmer, and Anna Livermore. He was named after his father's twin brother. Hamlin liked to read and play sports. He emerged as a leader among his friends. He attended public schools and the private Hebron Academy. He became interested in politics, but his views differed from his father's. They did agree, however, on the abolition of slavery.
Hamlin was preparing for college when his older brother, Cyrus, became ill. Hamlin left Hebron Academy to care for the family farm. He had to push off college again when his father died. The will required Hamlin to stay on the farm and care for his mother until he turned twenty-one. During this time, he held various jobs, such as a surveyor and a schoolteacher. He then received a job reading law for the office of Fessenden and Deblois in Portland, where he worked with Samuel C. Fessenden, an abolitionist. The experience working at the law firm further made Hamlin oppose slavery. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and began his own law firm in Hampden. He also worked as the attorney for the town of Hampden.
Always interested in politics, Hamlin joined the Democratic Party during this time. He decided to run for a seat in the state House of Representatives, and in 1835, he was elected to this position. He became a popular member and was elected speaker of the House in 1837, 1839, and 1840. He continued to support antislavery measures and introduced legislation to end capital punishment in Maine.
In 1840, Hamlin lost his seat. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1843. He again brought his antislavery views with him and supported the Wilmot Proviso, which would have banned slavery in any territories the country received from Mexico during the Mexican War (1846–1848). The proposed bill did not pass the Senate. Hamlin served as chairman of the Committee on Elections and sat on the House Rules Committee. Hamlin left the House in 1847.
Life's Work
In 1848, the US senator from Maine John Fairfield died while in office. The state legislature elected Hamlin to replace him. He continued to support the Democratic Party but voted against the Kansas-Nebraska Act because of his opposition to slavery; he did not want to allow the institution to spread to these territories. The act gave the areas a choice of whether they wanted to allow slavery. In 1856, Hamlin left the Democratic Party.
He remained in the Senate until 1857 when he ran for governor of Maine. Hamlin did not have any interest in the governorship, but he made a deal with the newly established Republican Party. It would allow him to return to the US Senate if he ran on the party's ticket for governor. Hamlin won the election for governor in January 1857 but resigned after one month. He was then elected to the US Senate as a Republican legislator.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln received the Republican Party nomination for president. The Republican Party then asked Hamlin to be the vice presidential candidate because of his antislavery and pro-Union views. The party's members also wanted Hamlin because he was from the Northeast; they believed this would balance the ticket geographically.
Lincoln and Hamlin did not meet in person during the election. After the men assumed office, Lincoln sought Hamlin's input on cabinet members. Lincoln did not consult Hamlin on any further matters after this time, not even when the American Civil War (1861–1865) began. Like many previous vice presidents, Hamlin mostly had no real role in government. Hamlin missed his seat in Congress. He hated his new position but refused to step down because he believed that he needed to serve the people who had elected him. In addition, he was bored with the Senate meetings he presided over and missed many of them.
In 1864, Andrew Johnson of Tennessee replaced Hamlin on the Republican ticket for vice president. Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, and Johnson assumed the presidency. Hamlin was deeply disappointed over the turn of events, as he could have become president if the Republican Party had not dropped him.
Johnson made Hamlin the collector of the port of Boston, but Hamlin resigned this post. In 1868, Hamlin was named as a possible vice presidential candidate for Ulysses S. Grant. This did not materialize, however. In 1869, Hamlin was again elected to the US Senate. He remained in this position until 1880 when he decided not to run again. He then was appointed minister of Spain. Hamlin retired in 1882. He died on July 4, 1891.
Impact
Hamlin remained opposed to slavery throughout his life and career. He even broke with the Democratic Party to vote against the institution and eventually decided to switch his political affiliation. Although he did not have a prominent role as vice president, he helped guide President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Personal Life
Hamlin married Sarah Jane Emery in 1833. She died from tuberculosis in 1855. They had four children: George, Charles, Cyrus, and Sarah. In 1856, Hamlin married Sarah Jane's half-sister, Ellen Vesta Emery. They had two children, Hannibal E. and Frank.
Bibliography
"Cabinet and Vice Presidents: Hannibal Hamlin (1809–1891)." Lehrman Institute, www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/residents-visitors/cabinet-vice-presidents/cabinet-vice-presidents-hannibal-hamlin-1809-1891. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.
Hamlin, Charles Eugene. The Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin, Riverside Press, 1899.
"Hamlin, Hannibal, (1809–1891)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=h000121. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.
"Hannibal Hamlin (1861–1865)." University of Virginia Miller Center, millercenter.org/president/lincoln/essays/hamlin-1861-vicepresident. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.
"Hannibal Hamlin, 15th Vice President (1861–1865)." United States Senate, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP‗Hannibal‗Hamlin.htm. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.
"Special Collections: Guide to the Hamlin Family Papers." University of Maine Raymond H. Fogler Library, May 2004, web.archive.org/web/20120205201658/http://www.library.umaine.edu/SpecColl/FindingAids/Hamlinfamilyinventory.htm. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.