Roger Sherman Baldwin

Roger Sherman Baldwin (born January 4, 1793 in New Haven , Connecticut , † February 19, 1863 ibid) was an American politician , governor and US senator of the US state Connecticut. He was a member of the Whig Party .

Early years and political advancement

Roger Sherman Baldwin, grandson of Roger Sherman , the only man to sign all of the American founding documents, was born in New Haven in 1793. His father was Simeon Baldwin (1761-1851), who was a Connecticut Congressman between 1803 and 1805. He graduated from Yale University in 1811 and began law studies at Litchfield Law School the following year . Baldwin's most significant case in his legal career was the Amistad trials , when he won the freedom of the slaves who rebelled on the Spanish cargo ship La Amistad and killed all but two men of the entire crew. They took place from 1839 to 1841. Baldwin decided to go into politics late. He ran for the Connecticut Senate in 1837 and won; In 1838 he was re-elected. He was then elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1840 and 1841 .

Connecticut Governor

Baldwin won the Whigs gubernatorial nomination in 1844 and was elected Governor of Connecticut by legislative vote (116 to 93) that same year. He was confirmed for a second term in 1845. During his tenure, the legislature was busy removing the census suffrage . He also tried to allow blacks to vote, but failed. Baldwin chose not to run for Connecticut governor again. He left office on November 1, 1847 to fill a vacancy in the US Senate , which he then held until 1851.

Another résumé

He was also a delegate to the Washington Peace Congress in 1861, which was intended to prevent the impending war. Roger Sherman Baldwin died on February 19, 1863 and was buried in Grove Street Cemetery. He was married to Emily Perkins. The couple had nine children together. His son, Simeon Eben Baldwin , also served as Connecticut Governor from 1911 to 1915.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Movie

A simplified representation of the events relating to the Amistad trials was made into a film in 1997 under the title " Amistad ". Matthew McConaughey played Roger Sherman Baldwin.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Baldwin, Roger Sherman
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician and lawyer
DATE OF BIRTH	January 4, 1793
PLACE OF BIRTH	New Haven , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH	February 19, 1863
Place of death	New Haven , Connecticut