Ira Allen

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Statue of Ira Allen in the grounds of the University of Vermont

Ira Allen (born April 21, 1751 in Cornwall , Litchfield County , Colony of Connecticut , †  January 7, 1814 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ) was one of the founders of the US state of Vermont .

Life

Ira Allen was born in Connecticut; his brother was the American freedom fighter Ethan Allen .

From 1776 to 1786 he was Treasury Secretary of the newly founded state of Vermont, which at that time was still independent as the Vermont Republic ; he also sat in the state parliament for several years. His initiative, taken in 1780, established the University of Vermont . He himself contributed financially and by letting the approx. 20 hectare building site in Burlington come about free of charge . Ira Allen is considered the " Metternich of Vermont" and the "Father of the University of Vermont".

In France , in 1795, Allen bought 20,000 rifles and 24 cannons to sell to Vermont. He was captured at sea and charged in England with attempting to deliver weapons to the Irish rebels. After eight years of trial, he was finally acquitted.

Works

  • The Natural and Political History of Vermont , (London, 1798)
  • Statements Appended to the Olive Branch , (1807)

Vermont Historical Society Collections , (Montpelier, 1870) has additional information on Ira Allen.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Allen, Ira
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Co-founder of the US state of Vermont
DATE OF BIRTH April 21, 1751
PLACE OF BIRTH Cornwall , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH January 7, 1814
Place of death Philadelphia , Pennsylvania