Henry Clay

Date of Birth: April 12, 1777

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 29, 1852

Biography

Henry Clay was an influential American statesman and politician who served his country in various capacities over the first half of the 19th century. Born on April 12, 1777, in Hanover County, Virginia, Clay is best known for his role as a Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Senator, and as Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams. He played a significant part in American politics, particularly in the development of the American System, which advocated for a strong national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements. Clay was a central figure in the Whig Party and earned the nickname “The Great Compromiser” for his ability to broker important agreements, such as the Missouri Compromise in 1820 and the Compromise of 1850, which sought to ease tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. Despite his multiple attempts to win the presidency, Clay never achieved this goal. He died on June 29, 1852, in Washington, D.C., leaving behind a legacy of statesmanship and commitment to the Union.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Clay

1. Henry Clay was a self-taught lawyer who passed the bar exam in Virginia at the age of 20.

2. He was the founder and leader of the National Republican Party and later the Whig Party.

3. Clay served as Speaker of the House of Representatives longer than anyone else in the 19th century.

4. He was a staunch advocate for the American System, which aimed to strengthen the U.S. economy through a strong national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements.

5. Henry Clay was involved in some of the most significant legislative compromises of his time, earning him the moniker “The Great Compromiser.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Clay

1. “I would rather be right than President.”

2. “Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.”

3. “Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”

4. “The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity—unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.”

5. “Statistics are no substitute for judgment.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henry Clay’s highest net worth is difficult to determine in modern financial terms, but during his lifetime, he was relatively wealthy due to his legal practice, political career, and ownership of a plantation in Kentucky.

Children

Henry Clay had eleven children with his wife, Lucretia Hart Clay. Some of his notable children include: 1. Henry Clay Jr., who died in the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War. 2. James Brown Clay, who followed in his father’s footsteps and also served in Congress. 3. Thomas Hart Clay, who managed the family plantation, Ashland, in Kentucky.