Uncovering the Legacy of William R. King: America’s Forgotten Vice President
If you were asked to name all the Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Joe Biden, you could probably do it with ease. However, if you were asked to name all the Vice Presidents, it might not be so easy. There have been 48 Vice Presidents of the United States, and some of them are more well-known than others. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the life and legacy of William R. King, America’s forgotten Vice President.
Introduction
William Rufus DeVane King was born on April 7, 1786, in Sampson County, North Carolina. He was the eldest of six children and grew up on a plantation with his family. King was an intelligent and ambitious young man, and after completing his education, he moved to Alabama, where he became a successful lawyer and politician.
Early Career
King’s political career began in 1810 when he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. He later served as Secretary of the Territory of Alabama and was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1819. King became known for his oratory skills and his support of the American System, an economic policy that favored a strong central government, protective tariffs, and a national bank.
Election to the Senate
In 1819, King was elected to the United States Senate, where he served until 1844. He was a strong advocate for states’ rights and opposed the annexation of Texas. King was also a supporter of slavery, which was a common stance for politicians from the southern states at that time.
The Election of 1852
In 1852, King was elected Vice President of the United States under President Franklin Pierce. Unfortunately, King’s health was already in decline, and he was unable to take the oath of office in Washington, D.C. Instead, he was sworn in as Vice President in Cuba, where he had traveled to try and recover from tuberculosis.
Legacy
King’s term as Vice President was short-lived, as he passed away just 45 days after being sworn in. Despite this, King’s legacy lives on. He was an influential politician in his time, and his support of the American System and states’ rights had a lasting impact on American politics. King was also the only Vice President to be inaugurated outside of United States soil.
FAQs
Q1. Who was William R. King?
A1. William Rufus DeVane King was an American politician and lawyer who was elected as the Vice President of the United States in 1852.
Q2. What were some of King’s political stances?
A2. King was a supporter of the American System, an economic policy that favored a strong central government, protective tariffs, and a national bank. He was also a strong advocate for states’ rights and was in favor of slavery.
Q3. Why was King unable to take the oath of office in Washington, D.C.?
A3. King was suffering from tuberculosis, and his health was already in decline when he was elected Vice President. He traveled to Cuba to try and recover, but unfortunately, he passed away just 45 days after being sworn in.
Q4. What was King’s legacy?
A4. Despite his short tenure as Vice President, King’s legacy lives on. He was an influential politician in his time, and his support of the American System and states’ rights had a lasting impact on American politics. King was also the only Vice President to be inaugurated outside of United States soil.
Q5. How many Vice Presidents have there been in the United States?
A5. There have been 48 Vice Presidents of the United States.
Q6. Why is William R. King considered America’s forgotten Vice President?
A6. King is considered America’s forgotten Vice President because he served for such a short time and is not as well-known as many of the other Vice Presidents.
Q7. What was the American System?
A7. The American System was an economic policy that favored a strong central government, protective tariffs, and a national bank. It was supported by many politicians in the early 1800s, including William R. King.
Conclusion
William R. King may not be as well-known as some of the other Vice Presidents of the United States, but his legacy is still important. He was a successful politician and lawyer who supported important policies like the American System and states’ rights. Although his term as Vice President was cut short by his illness, King’s impact on American politics is still felt today.