Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was a prominent American lawyer and statesman who served in the U.S. Congress, representing both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He also held the position of U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and Millard Fillmore.
Webster was renowned for his oratory skills and was a key figure in the American legal landscape, arguing over 200 cases before the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Federalist Party, the National Republican Party, and the Whig Party, and was part of the Great Triumvirate along with Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.
His legal arguments helped shape several landmark decisions that expanded the power of the federal government. Despite his significant contributions, his career was not without controversy, particularly his support for the Compromise of 1850, which attempted to preserve the Union but also included a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.
