Preston Brooks

Date of Birth: August 5, 1819

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: January 27, 1857

Biography

Preston Smith Brooks was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as a Congressman from South Carolina. He was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, and is most famously known for his violent attack on Senator Charles Sumner in 1856, which occurred on the floor of the United States Senate. This incident highlighted the deep sectional tensions over slavery in the United States and is considered a prelude to the Civil War. Brooks was a staunch advocate for slavery and states’ rights, reflecting the views of many of his constituents in South Carolina. He attended South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) but did not graduate. Brooks then studied law and was admitted to the bar, practicing in Edgefield. During his time in Congress, Brooks became increasingly vocal about his pro-slavery stance. The attack on Sumner was a reaction to a speech Sumner had given, which Brooks perceived as an insult to his relative, Senator Andrew Butler. Brooks’ assault on Sumner with a cane resulted in severe injuries and became a symbol of the escalating conflict between the North and South. Brooks passed away at a young age, but his legacy remains a significant part of American history, particularly in discussions about the antebellum period and the causes of the Civil War.

5 Interesting Facts about Preston Brooks

1. Preston Brooks was a cousin of Senator Andrew Butler, whom Charles Sumner criticized in his speech “The Crime Against Kansas.”

2. The weapon used in the attack on Sumner was a heavy cane with a gold head, which Brooks broke during the assault.

3. Brooks was fined $300 for the assault but received no further punishment from Congress.

4. The attack on Sumner made Brooks a hero in the South, and he received numerous canes from supporters to replace the one he broke.

5. Brooks was re-elected to Congress after the attack but died less than a year later from croup.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Preston Brooks

1. “I did not then believe, nor do I now, that I was violating any rule of the House.”

2. “The moment Mr. Sumner was purified by my punishment, he became sacred.”

3. “I should have forfeited my own self-respect, and perhaps the respect of my countrymen, if I had failed to do what I did.”

4. “I meant no disrespect to the Senate of the United States.”

5. “It was a personal dispute, and I sought personal satisfaction.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no reliable record of Preston Brooks’ net worth; however, as a Congressman and lawyer in the 19th century, he would have been relatively well-off for his time.