a politician from Massachusetts who serves in a variety of roles
1745 CE
to 1829 CE
Timothy Pickering (July 17, 1745 – January 29, 1829) is a politician from Massachusetts who serves in a variety of roles, most notably as the third United States Secretary of State under Presidents George Washington and John Adams.
He also represents Massachusetts in both houses of Congress as a member of the Federalist Party.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Pickering begins a legal career after graduating from Harvard University.
He wins election to the Massachusetts General Court and served as a county judge.
He also becomes an officer in the colonial militia and serves in the Siege of Boston during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War.
He serves as Adjutant General and Quartermaster General of the Continental Army during the war.
After the war, Pickering moves to the Wyoming Valley and takes part in Pennsylvania's 1787 ratifying convention for the United States Constitution.
President Washington appoints Pickering to the position of Postmaster General in 1791.
After briefly serving as Secretary of War, Pickering becomes the Secretary of State in 1795, and remains in that office after President Adams is inaugurated.
As Secretary of State, Pickering favors close relations with Britain.
President Adams dismisses him in 1800 due to Pickering's opposition to peace with France during the Quasi-War.
Pickering wins election to represent Massachusetts in the United States Senate in 1803, becoming an ardent opponent of the Embargo Act of 1807.
He continues to support Britain in the Napoleonic Wars, famously describing the country as "The World's last hope - Britain's Fast-anchored Isle."
He leaves the Senate in 1811 but serves in the United States House of Representatives from 1813 to 1817.
During the War of 1812 he becomes a leader of the New England secession movement and helps organize the Hartford Convention.
The fallout from the convention ends Pickering's political career.
He lives as a farmer in Salem until his death in 1829.
