Rufus King (general)

Rufus King
A photograph of King taken between 1855-1865
5th United States Minister to the Papal States
In office January 8, 1864 – August 17, 1867
President	Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson
Preceded by	Richard M. Blatchford
Succeeded by	Diplomatic relations severed
17th Adjutant General of New York
In office January 1839 – January 1843
Preceded by	Allan Macdonald
Succeeded by	Lyman Sanford
Personal details
Born	(1814-01-26)January 26, 1814 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	October 13, 1876(1876-10-13) (aged 62) New York City, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Grace Episcopal Churchyard, Jamaica, New York
Spouses	Ellen Eliot ​ ​ (m. 1836; died 1838)​ Susan Eliot ​ (m. 1843⁠–⁠1876)​
Children	Rufus, Jr. Charles
Parents	Charles King (father) Eliza Gracie (mother)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army New York Militia United States Volunteers Union Army
Years of service	1833–1836 (USA) 1839–1843 (NY) 1861–1863 (USV)
Rank	Brigadier General, USV
Commands	Iron Brigade
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Rufus King (January 26, 1814 – October 13, 1876) was an American newspaper editor, public servant, diplomat, and soldier. He served as a Union Army brigadier general in the American Civil War, and was responsible for assembling the famed Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. He was later U.S. minister (ambassador) to the Papal States from 1864 to 1867 and was instrumental in the capture of accused Lincoln assassination plotter John Surratt. Earlier in life, he had been a member of the first board of regents of the University of Wisconsin.^[1]