Cassius Marcellus Clay | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Cassius_Marcellus_Clay.jpg) Clay, c. 1855–1865 | |
| United States Ambassador to Russia | |
| In office May 7, 1863 – October 1, 1869 | |
| President | Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Simon Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Gregg Curtin |
| In office July 14, 1861 – June 25, 1862 | |
| President | Abraham Lincoln |
| Preceded by | John Appleton |
| Succeeded by | Simon Cameron |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1835–1841 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1810 Madison County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1903 (aged 92) Madison County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (1854–1870; 1884–1903) Liberal Republican (1870–1872) Democratic (1872–1884) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Jane Warfield (1833–1878, divorced) Dora Richardson (1894–1897, divorced) |
| Children | Elisha Warfield Clay Green Clay Mary Barr Clay Sally Clay Laura Clay Brutus J. Clay II Anne Clay David Kevin Clay (adopted) |
| Alma mater | Transylvania University Yale College |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician, newspaper publisher, soldier, farmer |
| Known for | Being a staunch abolitionist and U.S. ambassador to Russia. Duels with slaveowners & slavery advocates—zero losses |
| Signature | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Signature_of_Cassius_Marcellus_Clay_(1810%E2%80%931903).png){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | 1st Kentucky Mounted Volunteers Clay's Washington Guards |
| Years of service | 1846–1847 1861–1863 |
| Rank | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Union_army_cpt_rank_insignia.jpg){kind=icon} Captain&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Union_Army_major_general_rank_insignia.svg){kind=icon} Major general |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
Major General Cassius Marcellus Clay (October 19, 1810 – July 22, 1903) was an American planter, politician, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869. Born in Kentucky to a wealthy planter family, Clay entered politics during the 1830s and grew to support the abolitionist cause in the U.S., drawing ire from fellow Southerners. A founding member of the Republican Party in Kentucky, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as the U.S. minister to Russia. Clay is credited with influencing Russian support for the Union during the American Civil War.