William Hayden English
Encyclopedia
William Hayden English (August 27, 1822 – February 7, 1896) was an American
politician from Indiana.
William English was most famous for his role in the passage of the infamous, pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution
of Kansas
in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858. Working closely with Southern leaders, as well as the pro-slavery Buchanan administration
, English made possible the passage of the constitution despite its enormous unpopularity in the North. The success of Lecompton caused a political firestorm that triggered the break-up of the Democratic Party, which, in turn, helped lead to Civil War.
Born in Lexington, Indiana in August 1822 to Democratic Party faithfuls from Kentucky, English attended Hanover College in southern Indiana, but did not graduate, instead receiving a general teaching certificate. His father was active in local politics, and early got his son involved. English studied some law, and was certified as both teacher and lawyer by his 19th birthday. By the end of 1842, young English came under the tutelage of the slave-owning Indiana Democratic boss Jesse D. Bright, which helped him win appointments to a variety of local offices. While serving in the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. as Clerk of the Second Auditor, English met the Southern belle Emma “Mardy” Jackson, whom he married in November 1847.
In 1848, English supported pro-Southern Democrat Lewis Cass of Michigan for President, and, along with his mentor Jesse Bright, attended that year's Democratic national convention. In March 1850, English was selected to serve as clerk of the U.S. Senate Claims Committee, giving him an opportunity to gain political experience, make connections, and prove his abilities. The appointment also put English in a position to observe the forging of the pro-Southern Compromise of 1850, as well as the activities of one of its architects Jesse Bright, who was then in the U.S. Senate. In August 1851, English won his first election and was elevated to state representative from Scott County. In the Indiana legislature, he gained notoriety and grew even closer to Bright and the pro-slavery wing of Indiana Democrats.
In 1851–52, English worked for the pro-Southern Douglas-Hunter presidential ticket (which did not receive the Democratic nomination), but also, to keep his boss Bright happy, supported the renewed candidacy of Lewis Cass. In August 1852, 29 year old English beat out several older politicians for the US House nomination for the new Indiana 2nd District, which has notoriously pro-slavery. In October, he was elected, essentially riding on the coattails of the enormously popular gubernatorial candidate Democrat Joseph A. Wright. English also benefited from the fact that the anti-slavery vote that year was divided between Whigs and Free-Soilers.
In December 1853, English—ever learning to cater to Southern demands—supported Lynn Boyd of KY for Speaker of the House, a decision for which he would reap political benefits, including a coveted spot on the Committee on Territories.
He moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
at the end of his congressional term. In 1880, he was the unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket in the U.S. presidential election, 1880 running with Winfield Scott Hancock
and only losing by 1,898 popular votes and 54 electoral votes: 214 to 155.
English was the author of several books; died at his home in Indianapolis on February 7, 1896 and is interred in Crown Hill Cemetery
. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution
, and an organizational marker was added to his grave in 2007. English, Indiana
, the county seat of Crawford County
, is named after him. Identical statues of English stand in front of the Scott County Courthouse in Scottsburg, Indiana
and at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in English. A bust of English in the Indiana Statehouse commemorates his service 1851–1852 as Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives
.
His son William Eastin English was also a congressman. His grandson was the noted socialist William English Walling
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from Indiana.
William English was most famous for his role in the passage of the infamous, pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution
Lecompton Constitution
The Lecompton Constitution was the second of four proposed constitutions for the state of Kansas . The document was written in response to the anti-slavery position of the 1855 Topeka Constitution of James H. Lane and other free-state advocates...
of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858. Working closely with Southern leaders, as well as the pro-slavery Buchanan administration
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
, English made possible the passage of the constitution despite its enormous unpopularity in the North. The success of Lecompton caused a political firestorm that triggered the break-up of the Democratic Party, which, in turn, helped lead to Civil War.
Born in Lexington, Indiana in August 1822 to Democratic Party faithfuls from Kentucky, English attended Hanover College in southern Indiana, but did not graduate, instead receiving a general teaching certificate. His father was active in local politics, and early got his son involved. English studied some law, and was certified as both teacher and lawyer by his 19th birthday. By the end of 1842, young English came under the tutelage of the slave-owning Indiana Democratic boss Jesse D. Bright, which helped him win appointments to a variety of local offices. While serving in the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. as Clerk of the Second Auditor, English met the Southern belle Emma “Mardy” Jackson, whom he married in November 1847.
In 1848, English supported pro-Southern Democrat Lewis Cass of Michigan for President, and, along with his mentor Jesse Bright, attended that year's Democratic national convention. In March 1850, English was selected to serve as clerk of the U.S. Senate Claims Committee, giving him an opportunity to gain political experience, make connections, and prove his abilities. The appointment also put English in a position to observe the forging of the pro-Southern Compromise of 1850, as well as the activities of one of its architects Jesse Bright, who was then in the U.S. Senate. In August 1851, English won his first election and was elevated to state representative from Scott County. In the Indiana legislature, he gained notoriety and grew even closer to Bright and the pro-slavery wing of Indiana Democrats.
In 1851–52, English worked for the pro-Southern Douglas-Hunter presidential ticket (which did not receive the Democratic nomination), but also, to keep his boss Bright happy, supported the renewed candidacy of Lewis Cass. In August 1852, 29 year old English beat out several older politicians for the US House nomination for the new Indiana 2nd District, which has notoriously pro-slavery. In October, he was elected, essentially riding on the coattails of the enormously popular gubernatorial candidate Democrat Joseph A. Wright. English also benefited from the fact that the anti-slavery vote that year was divided between Whigs and Free-Soilers.
In December 1853, English—ever learning to cater to Southern demands—supported Lynn Boyd of KY for Speaker of the House, a decision for which he would reap political benefits, including a coveted spot on the Committee on Territories.
He moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
at the end of his congressional term. In 1880, he was the unsuccessful candidate for Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket in the U.S. presidential election, 1880 running with Winfield Scott Hancock
Winfield Scott Hancock
Winfield Scott Hancock was a career U.S. Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War...
and only losing by 1,898 popular votes and 54 electoral votes: 214 to 155.
English was the author of several books; died at his home in Indianapolis on February 7, 1896 and is interred in Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution
Sons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
, and an organizational marker was added to his grave in 2007. English, Indiana
English, Indiana
English is a town in and the county seat of Sterling Township, Crawford County, Indiana, United States. The population was 645 at the 2010 census, making it one of Indiana's smallest county seats.-Geography:English is located at ....
, the county seat of Crawford County
Crawford County, Indiana
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 10,713. The county seat is English.-Geography:...
, is named after him. Identical statues of English stand in front of the Scott County Courthouse in Scottsburg, Indiana
Scottsburg, Indiana
Scottsburg is a city in Vienna Township, Scott County, Indiana, United States, about north of Louisville, Kentucky. The population was 6,747 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Scott County. As of 2010, William H...
and at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in English. A bust of English in the Indiana Statehouse commemorates his service 1851–1852 as Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives
Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Indiana State House of Representatives is the highest official in the Indiana House of Representatives, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party. As in most Anglosphere countries and provinces, the speaker presides over the lower house of the legislature.The...
.
His son William Eastin English was also a congressman. His grandson was the noted socialist William English Walling
William English Walling
William English Walling was an American labor reformer and socialist born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the grandson of William Hayden English, the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1880, and was born into wealth. He was educated at the University of Chicago and at Harvard Law School...
.
External links
- William Hayden English at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...