Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 24, 1852) was a United States Senator and Secretary of State. Famed for his ability as an orator, Webster was one of the most important figures in U.S. politics in the first half of the 19th century. Like Henry Clay, he had a predisposition to compromises marked by a passionate patriotic devotion to the Union.

Early life

Webster was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He was the son of Ebenezer and Abigail Webster (née Eastman) and raised on his parents' farm (a small parcel of land granted to Ebenezer in recognition of his service in the French and Indian War). His parents were poor, but dedicated to his education and thus not only hired private tutors to teach him but also sent him to the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Related Topics:
Salisbury, New Hampshire - French and Indian War - Poor - Phillips Exeter Academy - Exeter, New Hampshire

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His time at the Phillips Exeter Academy was short (he left after 9 months) and traumatic. As a child Daniel had a deep fear of public speaking and was unable to conquer his fear sufficiently to deliver the required public "declamations" that were a feature of the education system at the time. Indeed, despite his later success as an orator, he is recorded as having been so petrified at school that he simply refused to stand up and returned to his room in shame and in tears. The reason for his short stay at the academy is unknown but seems likely to be simply the inability of his parents to meet the fees.

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From Phillips he went to Dartmouth College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1801. Here he laid to rest his terror of public speaking and began using his phenomenal memory and skill at speech writing. He became a member of the literary society known as the "United Fraternity" where he practiced the art of public speaking. So successful was he at overcoming his fears that shortly after his graduation the town of Hanover invited him to deliver the Independence Day oration. On graduating from Dartmouth he took a legal apprenticeship (firstly under Thomas W. Thompson and then Christopher Gore) and then in 1805 he opened his first legal practice in Boscawen, New Hampshire. In 1807 his father took over the Boscawen firm when Webster opened a new practice in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Related Topics:
Dartmouth College - Phi Beta Kappa - 1801 - Hanover - Independence Day - 1805 - Boscawen, New Hampshire - 1807 - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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In 1808 he married his first wife, Grace Fletcher, who died in 1828. With her he had one son, Charles.

Related Topics:
1808 - 1828

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