Schuyler Colfax Biography

Schuyler Colfax was an American politician who served as the 17th Vice President of the United States, from 1869 to 1873, in the administration of Ulysses Grant. Born in New York City, after finishing his education, Colfax worked as a newspaper reporter and publisher as a young man; he established important political contacts in the process. Subsequently, he joined the Whig party where he developed a reputation as a rising young politician and was selected for a number of party posts. But, after the collapse of Whig party, Colfax joined the newly formed Republican Party and ran for Congress, winning a seat which he held from 1855 to 1869. Alongside, he also served as Speaker of the House, from 1863 until the end of his term. An opponent of slavery, Colfax joined the Radical Republicans and strongly supported the Freeman's Bureau, the Civil Rights Bill and the Reconstruction Acts. Afterwards, Ulysses S. Grant selected Colfax as his running mate during Grant’s bid for the presidency and upon winning, Colfax became the Vice President of the United States, serving from 1869 to 1873. Unfortunately, Colfax was later implicated in the Credit Mobilier scandal which damaged his reputation and cost him the re-nomination for the office of vice president. After finishing his term, Colfax embarked on a successful career as a lecturer, a capacity in which he served until his death in 1885