Henry Wilson Biography

Henry Wilson was a fervent abolitionist of slavery who served as the 18th Vice President of the United States, from 1873 to 1875, in the administration of Ulysses S. Grant. Born in New Hampshire to a deprived family, Wilson started working at the age of 10 as a farm-laborer. Later, he learned about the shoemaking trade and enjoyed reading in his free time. After successfully establishing himself as a shoe manufacturer, Wilson came across slavery debates and decided to devote his life towards its abolition. Thereafter, he became a public speaker and was elected to the Massachusetts legislature as a Whig. In 1848, he left the Whig party and became one of the chief leaders of the Free Soil party, later joining the Know-Nothing party, and finally became a part of the Republican Party. In 1855, Wilson was elected to the United States Senate and won re-elections thrice, retaining the seat until 1873. A dominant opponent of slavery during his senatorial career, he established his reputation as an able and one of the most effective anti-slavery orators in the United States.He was also extremely involved in the militia of his state and subsequently rose through its grades of service, becoming the brigadier-general. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he chaired the military committee of the Senate and contributed remarkably after the war years. Later, Wilson was elected for vice presidency on the Republican ticket and was inaugurated at the office in March 1873. Unfortunately, two years later, Wilson suffered a stroke while working at his office and died before completing his term