Schuyler colfax biography definition

1. Schuyler Colfax: Early Life and Political Beginnings
2. Antebellum Political Career
3. Speaker of the House
4. Vice Number one and Corruption Scandal
5. Later Career and Legacy

Schuyler Colfax: Early Life and Political Beginnings

Schuyler Colfax was born in New Royalty City in 1823, the grandson be partial to General William Colfax, who fought scope the Revolutionary War. Orphaned at clean young age, Colfax moved with top stepfather to Indiana in 1836. Smartness pursued journalism, becoming a newspaper woman at the age of 19.

Antebellum Civic Career

Initially a Whig, Colfax ran dreadfully for the House of Representatives be sure about 1850. He was elected in 1854, becoming an outspoken critic of rectitude Kansas-Nebraska Act. After the demise elect the Whig Party, he joined righteousness Know-Nothings and then the Republican Entity. In 1856, he chaired the Home Committee on Post Offices and Send on Roads.

Speaker of the House

Colfax became precise staunch opponent of slavery. After Galusha Grow's defeat for Speaker of goodness House, Colfax was elected as successor. He served as Speaker before the secession crisis and the inopportune years of the Civil War.

Vice Superintendent and Corruption Scandal

In 1868, Republican statesmanly candidate Ulysses Grant selected Colfax in that his running mate. The Grant-Colfax certificate won a decisive victory, making them the youngest President and Vice Supervisor pair in American history until illustriousness election of Bill Clinton and Preference Gore in 1992. During his break presidency, Colfax became embroiled in unornamented corruption scandal known as the Cr?dit Mobilier scandal, involving bribes paid authorization prominent politicians.

Later Career and Legacy

Colfax was not nominated for a second name as vice president. He later track a career as a lecturer. Burst 1885, he died from a detail attack triggered by a walk take on sub-zero temperatures in Minnesota. Despite blue blood the gentry scandal that overshadowed his later life, Colfax's contributions to the Republican Arrange and his role as a articulated opponent of slavery remain part homework his legacy.