Charles Benedict Calvert

Charles Benedict Calvert was a prominent planter and politician from Maryland, serving in the United States House of Representatives and the Maryland House of Delegates. He was born into a wealthy family, with connections to notable figures such as George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore and Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Calvert's family owned a significant amount of land, including the Riverdale, Maryland estate, which played a crucial role in his life and career, much like the estates of other prominent families, including the Carter family of Virginia and the Lee family of Virginia. His upbringing and family ties would later influence his involvement in politics, particularly in the Democratic Party (United States), alongside other notable politicians, such as Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.

● Early Life and Education

Calvert was born on August 23, 1803, in Riverdale, Maryland, to a family of significant wealth and influence, similar to the Du Pont family and the Vanderbilt family. He received his early education at the University of Maryland, where he studied alongside other notable individuals, including Roger Taney and John Pendleton Kennedy. Calvert's education was further supplemented by his travels to Europe, where he visited countries such as France, England, and Italy, and met prominent figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Lord Byron. Upon his return to the United States, Calvert became involved in the management of his family's estate, which included the operation of a tobacco plantation, similar to those owned by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

● Career

Calvert's career as a planter and politician began to take shape in the 1820s, when he became involved in the Maryland House of Delegates, alongside other notable politicians, including Samuel Smith (Maryland politician) and William Pinkney. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1824 to 1826, and later in the United States House of Representatives from 1839 to 1841, where he worked alongside prominent politicians, such as John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay. During his time in Congress, Calvert was a strong advocate for the interests of Maryland and the Southern United States, often finding himself at odds with politicians from the Northern United States, including Abraham Lincoln and William Seward. Calvert's career was also marked by his involvement in various organizations, including the American Colonization Society and the Maryland Historical Society, which were dedicated to promoting the interests of Maryland and the United States.

● Politics and Legacy

Calvert's political career was marked by his strong support for the Democratic Party (United States), and his advocacy for the interests of Maryland and the Southern United States. He was a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson and his policies, including the Indian Removal Act and the Nullification Crisis. Calvert's legacy is also tied to his involvement in the American Civil War, during which he supported the Confederate States of America and its leaders, including Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Despite his support for the Confederacy, Calvert remained a prominent figure in Maryland politics, and his legacy continues to be felt in the state, alongside that of other notable politicians, including Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes.

● Personal Life

Calvert was married to Charlotte Augusta Norris, and the couple had several children together, including Charles Benedict Calvert Jr. and Eleanor Calvert. The family resided at the Riverdale, Maryland estate, which remained a central part of Calvert's life and career. Calvert was also known for his interests in agriculture and horticulture, and he was a member of various organizations, including the Maryland Agricultural Society and the American Horticultural Society. His personal life was also marked by his friendships with notable individuals, including John James Audubon and Washington Irving.

● Later Life and Death

Calvert's later life was marked by his continued involvement in politics and his management of the Riverdale, Maryland estate. He remained a prominent figure in Maryland politics until his death on October 12, 1864, in Bladensburg, Maryland. Calvert's death was mourned by his family and friends, including notable politicians, such as Alexander Stephens and Judah P. Benjamin. His legacy continues to be felt in Maryland and the United States, and his contributions to the state's history and politics are still recognized today, alongside those of other notable figures, including Francis Scott Key and John Hanson. Category:American planters