Politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky in both the US Senate and House of Representatives. He ran for President of the United States in 1824, 1832 and 1844 and he was known as the "Great Pacificator" for his work on the Nullification Crisis and the slavery issue.
He was born into the planter class in Virginia and was given two slaves from his father as a gift.
He dealt with the slavery issue by formulating both the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850.
His stepfather was captain Henry Watkins; his father passed away shortly after his birth.
Abraham Lincoln was an outspoken admirer of his.
