Edward Everett

Edward Everett (April 11, 1794 – January 15, 1865) is an American politician, pastor, educator, diplomat, and orator from Massachusetts.

Everett, a Whig, serves as U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, the 15th Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and United States Secretary of State.

He also teaches at Harvard University and serves as its president.

Everett is one of the great American orators of the antebellum and Civil War eras.

He is often remembered today as the featured orator at the dedication ceremony of the Gettysburg National Cemetery in 1863, where he speaks for over two hours—immediately before President Abraham Lincoln delivers his famous, two-minute Gettysburg Address.

The son of a pastor, Everett is educated at Harvard, and briefly ministers at Boston's Brattle Street Church before taking a teaching job at Harvard.

The position includes preparatory studies in Europe, so Everett spends two years in studies at the University of Göttingen, and another two years traveling around Europe.

At Harvard he teaches ancient Greek literature for several years before becoming involved in politics, and begins an extensive and popular speaking career.

He serves ten years in the United States Congress before winning election as Governor of Massachusetts in 1835.

As governor he introduces the state Board of Education, the first of its type in the nation.

After being defeated in the 1839 election by one vote, Everett is appointed Minister to Great Britain, serving until 1845.

He next becomes President of Harvard, a job he quickly comes to dislike.

In 1849, he becomes an assistant to longtime friend and colleague Daniel Webster, who has been appointed Secretary of State.

Upon Webster's death Everett serves as Secretary of State for a few months until he is sworn in as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

In the later years of his life, Everett travels and gives speeches all over the country.

He supports efforts to maintain the Union before the Civil War, running for Vice President on the Constitutional Union Party ticket in 1860.

He is active in supporting the Union effort during the war and supports Lincoln in the 1864 election.

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