Mirabeau B. Lamar

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar (born August 16, 1798 in Louisville , Georgia , † December 19, 1859 in Richmond , Texas ) was an American politician, ambassador and president of the Republic of Texas .

Life

Lamar was born in Jefferson County , Georgia in 1798 . As Secretary to Governor George Troup , he gained his first experience in politics. He took part on the Texas side in the Battle of San Jacinto , with which Texas won its independence from Mexico . Lamar became Secretary of Defense for the Texas Interim Government. He was elected Vice President in 1836 and President of the Republic of Texas in 1838, an office which he held until December 1841. He succeeded in getting Texas recognized by some European states and in improving the education system. His financial policy was less successful and almost led to national bankruptcy . The attempt made during his tenure to annex part of Mexico by means of the Texan Santa Fe expedition he initiated was unsuccessful. Unlike Sam Houston, Lamar was originally opposed to the unification of the Republic of Texas with the United States . He even strove to expand the independent republic to the Pacific. These plans were caught up with and overtaken by further political developments.

After his tenure he took part in the Mexican-American War and was from 1858 to 1859 American Prime Minister ( Ambassador ) in Nicaragua . He died of a heart attack on December 19, 1859 on his plantation near Richmond . His grave is in the Masonic Cemetery near Richmond. The Lamar County , the City of Lamar , the Lamar Hotel and Lamar University in Beaumont were named after him.

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personal data
SURNAME	Lamar, Mirabeau B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Lamar, Mirabeau Buonaparte (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician and President of the Republic of Texas
DATE OF BIRTH	August 16, 1798
PLACE OF BIRTH	near Louisville , Georgia
DATE OF DEATH	December 19, 1859
Place of death	near Richmond , Texas