Edward Everett was an American politician and statesman, the twelfth Vice President of the United States (1852–1853) and a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1831–1837). He is noted for his forceful and persuasive speaking style as well as for his support of popular sovereignty and higher education. Everett was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on January 22, 1819, the son of Mary (née Kelly) and Thomas William Everett
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He was educated by private tutors and graduated from Harvard College in 1837. Upon graduation he studied law with his father, a prominent lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in 1840.
Everett's first political involvement came as a member of the Whig Party. He served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and as a Member of the State house of representatives from 1847 to 1848.
In 1850, Everett was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district as a Whig candidate. In this capacity he voted against the Wilmot Proviso—an early proposal for regulating slavery in any territory acquired by the United States during that period—and against the Compromise of 1850 which led to admission into the Union as a slave state of California.
Everett also opposed President Franklin Pierce's efforts at making California a territory with special provisions for Mormon settlers there; he supported Pierce's efforts at settling land claims with Mexico at Guadalupe-Hidalgo following the Mexican–American War. In Congress Everett became known as an advocate for higher education through federal support for learning at both public and private colleges and universities, including those outside New England. He was also known as an advocate for justice for blacks through their enfranchisement; he spoke out against slavery; and advocated greater equality between whites and blacks through voting rights legislation.
On March 3, 1852, after John C.
Frémont resigned his office as Lieutenant Governor of Missouri to become President Millard Fillmore's running mate on the Democratic Party presidential ticket (along with former Senator Nathaniel Prentiss), Everett was elected Vice President on the ticket with Frémont; he served in that position until July 4, 1853, after which time he returned to his seat in Congress where he served until March 3, 1857 when he assumed office as Secretary of State under President James Buchanan at Buchanan's request following Buchanan's inauguration on March 4
