James Gillespie Blaine

author

James Gillespie Blaine

1830–1893

A towering figure in Gilded Age politics, he rose from Maine newspaperman to Speaker of the House, senator, secretary of state, and a major presidential contender. His energy and ambition made him one of the best-known Republicans of the late 19th century.

2 Audiobooks

Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860

Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860

by James Gillespie Blaine

Twenty Years of Congress, Vol. 1 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860

Twenty Years of Congress, Vol. 1 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860

by James Gillespie Blaine

About the author

Born in Pennsylvania in 1830, James G. Blaine built an unusually wide-ranging public career. After graduating from Washington College, he worked in education and journalism before settling in Maine, where he became active in Republican politics and won election to Congress during the Civil War era.

Blaine went on to become one of the most influential politicians of his generation. He represented Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives, served as Speaker of the House from 1869 to 1875, later became a U.S. senator, and served twice as secretary of state. He was also the Republican nominee for president in 1884, losing a close election to Grover Cleveland.

Historians remember him both as a brilliant party leader and as an important voice in American foreign policy. His name is especially linked to early Pan-American diplomacy and efforts to strengthen U.S. ties with Latin America. He died in Washington, D.C., in 1893, just days before his 63rd birthday.