Francis Preston Blair

Francis Preston Blair (April 12, 1791 – October 18, 1876), American journalist and politician, was born at Abingdon, Virginia.

Related Topics:
April 12 - 1791 - October 18 - 1876 - American - Abingdon - Virginia

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Blair moved to Kentucky, graduated from Transylvania University in 1811, took to journalism, and was a contributor to Amos Kendall's paper, the Argus, at Frankfort. In 1830, having become an ardent follower of Andrew Jackson, he was made editor of the Washington Globe, the recognized organ of the Jackson party. In this capacity, and as a member of Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet", he long exerted a powerful influence; the Globe was the administration organ until 1841, and the chief Democratic organ until 1845; Blair ceased to be its editor in 1849.

Related Topics:
Kentucky - Transylvania University - 1811 - Journalism - Amos Kendall - Frankfort - 1830 - Andrew Jackson - Washington - Kitchen Cabinet - 1841 - Democratic - 1845 - 1849

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In 1848 he actively supported Martin Van Buren, the Free Soil candidate, for the presidency, and in 1852 he supported Franklin Pierce, but soon afterwards helped to organize the new Republican Party, and presided at its preliminary convention at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in February 1856. He was influential in securing the nomination of John C. Frémont at the June 1856 convention, and of Abraham Lincoln at the 1860 convention.

Related Topics:
1848 - Martin Van Buren - Free Soil - 1852 - Franklin Pierce - Republican Party - Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania - 1856 - John C. Frémont - 1856 convention - Abraham Lincoln - 1860 convention

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After Lincoln's re-election in 1864 Blair thought that his former close personal relations with the Confederate leaders might aid in bringing about a cessation of hostilities, and with Lincoln's consent went unofficially to Richmond and induced President Jefferson Davis to appoint commissioners to confer with representatives of the United States. This resulted in the futile "Hampton Roads Conference" of February 3, 1865. After the Civil War Blair became a supporter of President Andrew Johnson's reconstruction policy, and eventually rejoined the Democratic Party. He died at Silver Spring, Maryland, on the 18th of October 1876.

Related Topics:
1864 - Confederate - Richmond - Jefferson Davis - Hampton Roads Conference - February 3 - 1865 - Civil War - Andrew Johnson - Silver Spring - Maryland

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Blair had two sons, Montgomery Blair (1813–1883), and Francis Preston Blair, Jr. (1821–1875), who were also prominent in American politics.

Related Topics:
Montgomery Blair - Francis Preston Blair, Jr.

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