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Thurlow Weed: Politics and Government\State Legislator\New York
Thurlow Weed: Journalism and Media\Newspaper publisher
Thurlow Weed: Journalism and Media\Newspaper editor
Thurlow Weed: Crafts and Trades\Printer
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.2005.95
Exhibition Label
Born Cairo, New York
From the 1830s until the Civil War (1861–65), Thurlow Weed was one of the dominant forces in New York and U.S. party politics. Henry Adams described him as, “the model of political management and patient address.” Weed entered politics through newspaper editing and writing, evolved into a skilled power broker and master of persuasion, and eventually became the de facto leader of the Whig Party.
Rather than seek higher office himself, Weed devoted his considerable talents to promoting the political ambitions of his friends. William Seward’s election as governor of New York in 1838 and William Henry Harrison’s election to the presidency in 1840 owed much to Weed. He also spearheaded Zachary Taylor’s successful candidacy for president in 1848, but Taylor’s early death ruined Weed’s plans for maintaining the unity of the Whig Party. Weed then moved to the Republican Party and became a trusted confidante of Abraham Lincoln.
Nacido en Cairo, Nueva York
Desde la década de 1830 hasta la Guerra Civil (1861–65), Thurlow Weed fue una fuerza dominante en la política partidista de Nueva York y EE.UU. Henry Adams lo describió como “un modelo de gestión política y paciencia en su proceder”. LLegado a la política a través de su labor como escritor y editor periodístico, se convirtió en personaje influyente y maestro de la persuasión, siendo el líder de facto del Partido Whig.
En vez de buscar para sí un cargo de importancia, Weed dedicó sus notables talentos a promover las ambiciones políticas de sus amigos. La elección de William Seward como gobernador de Nueva York en 1838 y la de William Henry Harrison como presidente en 1840 le debieron mucho a Weed. También apoyó a Zachary Taylor en su ascenso a la presidencia en 1848, pero la muerte prematura de este arruinó sus planes de mantener la unidad del Partido Whig. Se unió entonces al Partido Republicano y llegó a ser confidente de Abraham Lincoln.
