Rufus King

Date of Birth: March 24, 1755

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 29, 1827

Biography

Rufus King was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat who played a prominent role in the early years of the United States. Born on March 24, 1755, in Scarborough, which was then part of Massachusetts (now Maine), King was educated at Harvard College, graduating in 1777. He became involved in politics early, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1787. King was a strong advocate for the ratification of the United States Constitution and served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. King’s legal and political prowess led him to become one of the first U.S. Senators from New York, serving from 1789 to 1796 and again from 1813 to 1825. In between his terms in the Senate, he served as the U.S. Minister to Great Britain from 1796 to 1803. King was also an outspoken opponent of slavery, which he considered morally and politically indefensible. King’s career spanned numerous important events and issues in early American history, including the crafting of the Constitution, the ratification debates, and early diplomatic relations with Britain. He died on April 29, 1827, in Jamaica, Queens, New York.

5 Interesting Facts about Rufus King

1. Rufus King was one of the youngest delegates at the Constitutional Convention, being only 32 years old.

2. He was a key figure in drafting the Northwest Ordinance, which prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.

3. King was a Federalist and ran as the Federalist candidate for Vice President in 1804 and 1808, although he did not win.

4. He was highly respected for his eloquent speeches and was known for his steadfast opposition to slavery.

5. King’s home in Jamaica, Queens, known as the King Manor, is now a museum dedicated to his life and legacy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rufus King

1. “I never can and never will be reconciled to a government of force in the hands of the few.”

2. “The law is the last result of human wisdom acting upon human experience for the benefit of the public.”

3. “The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

4. “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”

5. “Slavery is a nefarious institution. It is the curse of heaven on the states where it prevails.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rufus King’s highest net worth is not well-documented in historical records, but as a prominent lawyer, politician, and landowner, he was considered a wealthy man of his time.

Children

Rufus King had seven children with his wife, Mary Alsop King. Their children included John Alsop King, who would go on to become the Governor of New York, and Charles King, who served as the president of Columbia College (now Columbia University).