Benjamin Tappan

Benjamin Tappan was an American Democratic Party politician who served as a United States Senator from Ohio from 1839 to 1845. He was a strong supporter of the Jacksonian democracy movement, led by Andrew Jackson, and was influenced by the policies of Martin Van Buren and James K. Polk. Tappan's political career was marked by his involvement in the Mexican-American War and his opposition to the Wilmot Proviso, which was introduced by David Wilmot and aimed to prohibit slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico during the war. Tappan's views on slavery were shaped by his interactions with prominent abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass, as well as his relationships with Southern politicians, such as John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis.

● Early Life and Education

Benjamin Tappan was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, to Benjamin Tappan Sr. and Sarah Holmes Tappan, and was the brother of Lewis Tappan and Arthur Tappan. He studied at Dartmouth College and later at the Litchfield Law School, where he was influenced by the teachings of Tapping Reeve and James Gould. Tappan's education was also shaped by his interactions with prominent New England intellectuals, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After completing his studies, Tappan moved to Ohio and settled in Steubenville, where he became friends with Thomas Worthington and Ethan Allen Brown, and began to build a career in law and politics, inspired by the examples of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

● Career

Tappan's career as a lawyer and politician was marked by his involvement in the Ohio State Senate and his service as a United States District Attorney for the District of Ohio. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic-Republican Party and later the Democratic Party, and was influenced by the policies of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams. Tappan's relationships with other prominent politicians, including Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, helped shape his views on issues such as tariffs and internal improvements, which were central to the American System proposed by Henry Clay. Tappan's career was also marked by his interactions with notable figures, including Robert Fulton and Samuel Finley Breese Morse, who were instrumental in the development of the Cincinnati and Ohio River regions.

● Politics and Senate

As a United States Senator, Tappan was a strong supporter of the Preemption Act of 1841, which was introduced by Robert John Walker and aimed to allow settlers to purchase up to 160 acres of land at a fixed price. He also supported the Independent Treasury System, which was established by Martin Van Buren and aimed to keep government funds in a separate account and not use them for private banking interests. Tappan's views on slavery were shaped by his interactions with prominent abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass, as well as his relationships with Southern politicians, such as John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis. Tappan's Senate career was marked by his involvement in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty negotiations, which were led by Daniel Webster and aimed to resolve border disputes between the United States and British North America, and his opposition to the Oregon Treaty, which was negotiated by James K. Polk and established the border between the United States and British North America.

● Personal Life

Benjamin Tappan was married to Mary Campbell Tappan and had several children, including Benjamin Tappan Jr. and Mary Tappan. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was influenced by the teachings of Bishop William White and Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold. Tappan's personal life was marked by his relationships with prominent Ohio families, including the Worthington family and the Brown family, and his interactions with notable figures, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Tappan's interests included literature and history, and he was a strong supporter of the Ohio Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Society.

● Legacy

Benjamin Tappan's legacy is marked by his contributions to the development of Ohio and the United States. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and played an important role in shaping the party's policies, particularly with regards to slavery and westward expansion. Tappan's relationships with prominent politicians, including Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, helped shape his views on issues such as tariffs and internal improvements. Tappan's legacy is also marked by his interactions with notable figures, including Robert Fulton and Samuel Finley Breese Morse, who were instrumental in the development of the Cincinnati and Ohio River regions. Today, Tappan is remembered as an important figure in Ohio history and a key player in the development of the United States during the mid-19th century, with his legacy being studied by scholars at institutions such as Harvard University and Yale University. Category:United States Senators from Ohio