Simon Cameron American politician Country: USA

1. Biography of Simon Cameron
2. Move to Washington and Business Ventures
3. Political Career
4. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Simon Cameron

Simon Cameron was an American political figure born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1799. At the age of 9, Simon became an orphan and was apprenticed to a printer named Andrew Kennedy, the owner and editor of a newspaper in Northumberland. Kennedy sparked Cameron's interest in journalism, and at the age of 22, he became the editor of the Bucks County Messenger newspaper.

Move to Washington and Business Ventures

In 1822, Cameron moved to Washington, D.C. and began working in a printing office. In 1825, he returned to Pennsylvania to serve as the state's chief printer. Two years later, Cameron left government service to pursue his own business ventures. He became involved in the railroad industry, leading several railroad companies, and also established a city bank in Middleton.

Political Career

Until 1845, Cameron had little interest in politics, although he was a member of the Whig Party. However, when a vacancy opened up in the Senate due to James Buchanan's transition to the State Department, the Whig Party selected Cameron as their candidate. In 1849, Cameron left the Senate as a Whig and returned in 1857 as a representative of the Republican Party.

During the presidential campaign, Cameron initially put himself forward as a candidate but later supported Abraham Lincoln. As a token of appreciation for his support, Lincoln offered Cameron the position of Secretary of War. However, Cameron's tenure in this role was marked by allegations of corruption. Although no official charges were filed against him, Lincoln famously remarked that Cameron "didn't steal anything but red-hot iron." In 1862, Cameron was sent as a diplomat to the Russian imperial court.

Later Years and Legacy

Cameron returned from his diplomatic mission and spent the rest of the war away from public life. In 1867, the Republican Party once again nominated Cameron for the Senate. Known as the "King of Pennsylvania," Cameron ended his political career in 1877 by agreeing not to run for Congress and instead securing his son James' candidacy through the Pennsylvania legislature.

After retiring from politics, Simon Cameron lived on his family farm and passed away in 1889. His legacy is marked by his involvement in the railroad and banking industries, as well as his controversial tenure as Secretary of War.