William M. Evarts

William M. Evarts was a prominent American lawyer, statesman, and orator who served in key national positions during the turbulent Reconstruction Era. A leading Republican, his career included serving as United States Attorney General under President Andrew Johnson, successfully defending Johnson during his impeachment trial, and later becoming United States Secretary of State for President Rutherford B. Hayes. Evarts also represented New York in the United States Senate and was a founding president of the New York City Bar Association.

Early life and education

William Maxwell Evarts was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a family with deep New England roots; his mother was the daughter of Roger Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He attended Boston Latin School before entering Yale University, where he graduated in 1837 and was a member of the Skull and Bones society. Evarts then studied law at Harvard University, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree, and completed his legal apprenticeship in the New York City office of Daniel Lord.

Legal and political career

Evarts established a formidable reputation as a litigator, arguing numerous cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. He first gained national prominence in 1856 as part of the defense team for Dred Scott. A staunch Union supporter, he served as chief counsel for the State Department during the Civil War, helping to prosecute cases against Confederate raiders like the CSS ''Alabama'' under international maritime law. President Andrew Johnson appointed him United States Attorney General in 1868, and shortly thereafter, Evarts served as lead defense counsel during Johnson's impeachment trial before the United States Senate. As United States Secretary of State under President Rutherford B. Hayes, he advocated for peaceful arbitration in foreign disputes, overseeing the post-Berlin Congress negotiations and promoting Latin American trade through the Pan-American Conference.

U.S. Senate and later career

Elected as a United States Senator from New York in 1885, Evarts served one term, where he was a vocal advocate for civil service reform, supporting the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, and a proponent of protective tariffs. He served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and continued to influence Republican policy. After leaving the Senate, he remained active in law and public service, representing the United States in the Bering Sea Arbitration in Paris and serving as president of the American Bar Association. He was also a founding member and first president of the New York City Bar Association.

Personal life and legacy

In 1843, Evarts married Helen Minerva Bingham Wardner; the couple had twelve children, including Maxwell Evarts, who also became a corporate lawyer. The family maintained residences in New York City and Windsor, Vermont. Evarts died in New York City in 1901 and is interred at Windsor's Ascutney Cemetery. His legacy is that of a brilliant legal tactician and principled statesman who helped guide the nation through the Reconstruction Era and shaped American diplomacy. His descendants include the Harriman banking family and Cyrus Vance, who later served as United States Secretary of State.

Category:1818 births Category:1901 deaths Category:United States Secretaries of State Category:United States Attorneys General Category:United States Senators from New York (state) Category:American lawyers Category:Yale University alumni Category:Harvard University alumni