Carl Schurz

Date of Birth: March 2, 1829

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 14, 1906

Biography

Carl Schurz was a German-American statesman, journalist, and reformer who played a significant role in American public life in the 19th century. Born in Liblar, Germany, Schurz was a revolutionary who took part in the failed 1848 uprisings in Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1852 and quickly became involved in the anti-slavery movement. Schurz was a prominent member of the Republican Party and served as a Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Missouri, where he advocated for civil rights and civil service reform. Schurz later served as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior under President Rutherford B. Hayes, where he worked to combat corruption and protect Native American lands. He also had a distinguished career as a journalist and editor, contributing to various publications and co-founding the New York Evening Post. Schurz’s contributions to American politics and society were widely recognized, and he remains a respected figure in American history.

5 Interesting Facts about Carl Schurz

1. Carl Schurz was the first German-born American to be elected to the United States Senate.

2. He played a key role in the establishment of the Liberal Republican Party in 1872.

3. Schurz was a close friend and advisor to Abraham Lincoln and helped secure German-American support for the Union during the Civil War.

4. He was an advocate for the humane treatment of Native Americans and implemented several reforms during his tenure as Secretary of the Interior.

5. Schurz was a prolific writer and orator, known for his eloquent speeches and essays on political and social issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carl Schurz

1. “Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you will reach your destiny.”

2. “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”

3. “From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.”

4. “Prejudice and ignorance often walk hand in hand.”

5. “The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Carl Schurz’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a public servant and reformer, his wealth was modest compared to industrialists of his time.

Children

Carl Schurz had five children with his wife, Margarethe Meyer Schurz: Agathe, Marianne, Carl Lincoln, Herbert, and Emma Schurz. His wife Margarethe was also notable for founding the first kindergarten in the United States.