The Birth of Empire: DeWitt Clinton and the American Experience 1769-1828

About this book

DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828) was one of the nations strongest political leaders in the first quarter of the nineteenth century serving as mayor of New York City governor of the state and narrowly losing the Presidential campaign of 1812 to James Madison. Patrician in his sentiments Clinton nevertheless invented new forms of party politics. His greatest achievement the Erie Canal hastened the economic expansion of the country altered the political geography of the nation set an example for activist government and decisively secured New York Citys position as Americas first and foremost metropolis. While mayor Clintons role in founding the citys public school system was only the most significant of his many contributions to learning. An amateur scientist of international renown he wrote essays on geology botany entomology archaeology anthropology and ichthyology. This book relates in vivid detail the biography of one of the most important--and most interesting--political figures in US history.