Benjamin Franklin Butler

For the 19th century United States politician and general, see Benjamin Franklin Butler (politician)

Benjamin Franklin Butler
12th United States Attorney General
In office November 15, 1833 – July 4, 1838
Preceded by	Roger B. Taney
Succeeded by	Felix Grundy
Born	May 12, 1795(1795-05-12) Kinderhook Landing, Columbia County, New York
Died	May 11, 1858 (aged 62) Paris, France
Spouse(s)	Harriet Allen
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Benjamin Franklin Butler (December 17, 1795 – November 8, 1858) was a lawyer, legislator and Attorney General of the United States.

Early life

He was the son of Medad Butler and Hannah Butler (née Tylee), of Kinderhook Landing, in Columbia County, New York. He studied at the Academy in Hudson, New York, and read law with Martin Van Buren. Butler was admitted to the bar in 1817, and became Van Buren's partner. In 1818, he married Harriet Allen.

Political career

Butler was one of the earliest members of the Albany Regency. He began his political career as district attorney of Albany County, serving from from 1821 to 1824. He was appointed one of the three commissioners to revise the State statutes in 1825. Butler was a member from Albany County of the New York State Assembly in 1828. In 1833, he served as commissioner for New York to adjust the New Jersey boundary line. On November 15, 1833, President Andrew Jackson appointed Butler Attorney General, an office he held until 1838. From that year until 1841, and from 1845 to 1848, he was United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Legacy and death

The monument of Benjamin Butler in Woodlawn Cemetery

Butler was instrumental in founding New York University in 1831 and served in various capacities with the university from its inception. He was made principal professor at the New York University in 1837.

While visiting Europe in 1858, he died in Paris, France. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.

Fort Butler, one of the main forts built for the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians on the Trail of Tears, was named for him.^[1]

He was the grandfather of Sir Alfred Allen Booth, Bt, a director of Alfred Booth and Company and chairman of Cunard.

References

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v • d • e Cabinet of President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) Vice President John C. Calhoun (1829-1832) • None (1832-1833) • Martin Van Buren (1833-1837) Secretary of State Martin Van Buren (1829-1831) • Edward Livingston (1831-1833) • Louis McLane (1833-1834) • John Forsyth (1834-1837) Secretary of the Treasury Samuel D. Ingham (1829-1831) • Louis McLane (1831-1833) • William J. Duane (1833) • Roger B. Taney (1833-1834) • Levi Woodbury (1834-1837) Secretary of War John Eaton (1829-1831) • Lewis Cass (1831-1836) Attorney General John M. Berrien (1829-1831) • Roger B. Taney (1831-1833) • Benjamin F. Butler (1833-1837) Postmaster General William T. Barry (1829-1835) • Amos Kendall (1835-1837) Secretary of the Navy John Branch (1829-1831) • Levi Woodbury (1831-1834) • Mahlon Dickerson (1834-1837)

v • d • e Cabinet of President Martin Van Buren (1837-1841) Vice President Richard M. Johnson (1837-1841) Secretary of State John Forsyth (1837-1841) Secretary of the Treasury Levi Woodbury (1837-1841) Secretary of War Joel R. Poinsett (1837-1841) Attorney General Benjamin F. Butler (1837-1838) • Felix Grundy (1838-1840) • Henry D. Gilpin (1837-1841) Postmaster General Amos Kendall (1837-1840) • John M. Niles (1840-1841) Secretary of the Navy Mahlon Dickerson (1837-1838) • James K. Paulding (1838-1841)