Preston King | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Preston_King_-_Brady-Handy.jpg) Photograph of King by Mathew Brady, c. 1855–1865. | |
| United States Senator from New York | |
| In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Hamilton Fish |
| Succeeded by | Edwin D. Morgan |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 18th district | |
| In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas C. Chittenden |
| Succeeded by | William Collins |
| In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | William Collins |
| Succeeded by | Peter Rowe |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from St. Lawrence County | |
| In office January 1, 1835 – December 31, 1838 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 14, 1806 Ogdensburg, New York |
| Died | November 12, 1865 (aged 59) New York Harbor, New York City, New York |
| Political party | Democrat (1830–1847) Free Soil (1847–1853) Republican (1855–1863) |
Preston King (October 14, 1806 – November 12, 1865) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the United States Senate from 1857 to 1863. King also represented the North Country in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms and represented his native St. Lawrence County in the New York State Assembly for four terms. King entered politics as an ally of Martin Van Buren and was a lifelong opponent of slavery as a member of the Democratic, Free Soil, and Republican parties.
On November 12, 1865, King drowned himself in New York Harbor while serving as Collector of the Port of New York. He was appointed to that highly influential patronage position by his close friend and political ally, President Andrew Johnson, in an effort to unify support for Johnson's presidency and reduce corruption but despaired of success.