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Biographies of the Secretaries of State: William Henry Seward (1801–1872)

Influence on American Diplomacy

Along with other political leaders, Seward unsuccessfully negotiated to resolve the secession crisis during the winter of 1861. Once in Lincoln’s Cabinet, Seward anticipated that he would wield a strong influence over foreign policy. However, he underestimated Lincoln’s interest in foreign affairs.

Although Seward was willing to consider war against European powers should they prove too friendly toward the Confederacy, Lincoln overruled Seward on this point. Seward thus focused most of his efforts on preventing foreign recognition of the Confederacy.

Seward sent U.S. agents to Europe to publicly lobby for the Union cause, but early in his tenure a diplomatic crisis arose when the U.S. Navy arrested Confederate envoys headed for Europe. Despite public support in favor of their detention, Seward agreed to release the envoys to avoid the threat of war with Great Britain.

Seward also faced difficulties in encouraging foreign governments to curtail the smuggling of goods a

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1801-1872

William Henry Seward was born in Florida, New York on May 16, 1801. He was educated at the Farmers’ Hall Academy in Goshen, New York, and then attended Union College, from which he graduated in 1920 with highest honors. He studied law with John Anthon in New York and with John Duer and Ogden Hoffman in Goshen, New York and was admitted to the New York bar in Utica, New York in 1822. Seward commenced the practice of law as the junior partner of Elijah Miller, then first judge of Cayuga County.

Seward’s brilliance was quickly recognized and, in 1830, he was elected to the New York State Senate. At that time, the Senate formed part of the Court for the Correction of Errors, the court of last resort, and Seward regularly authored opinions on cases before it — for example, Parks v. Jackson (11 Wend. 442).

Elected Governor of New York in 1838, Seward served two terms (1839-1843) and soon became recognized as the leader of the anti-slavery wing of the Whig party. Both as a State senator and as Governor, Seward promoted progressive political policies inc

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About

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, the fourteenth governor of New York, was born in Florida, New York on May 16, 1801. His education was attained at Union College, where he graduated in 1820. He went on to study law, and in 1822 was admitted to the bar. After establishing his legal career, Seward entered into politics. He first served as a member of the New York State Senate, a position he held from 1830 to 1834. After an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 1834, Seward was elected governor on November 7, 1838. He won reelection to a second term in 1840. During his tenure, the elimination of capital punishment was lobbied for; educational and prison reform measures were promoted; and the abolition of slavery was supported. After leaving the governorship, Seward was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served from 1849 to 1861. In 1860 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. During the administrations of President Lincoln and President Andrew Johnson, Seward served as secretary of state. On the same night that President Lincoln was assassinated, Secretary