Washburne, E. B. (Elihu Benjamin), 1816-1887

A native of Maine, Washburne became a Galena, Illinois lawyer and served in the U. S. House of Representatives from Illinois (1853-1869). A supporter of both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, he was American minister to France (1869-1877).

From the description of Letter, 1854, 1857, and 1877. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 443060766

From the description of Letters, 1849-1872, nd. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 226967116

American Secretary of State and diplomat.

From the description of Envelope address : Galena, Ill., 185? Nov. 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270659741

From the description of Autograph letter signed : South Livermore, Maine, to General Belknap, 1872 Dec. 18. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270659736

American politician.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [Washington], to Horace Greeley, 1858 May 18. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270659729

Washburne was an American politician and diplomat.

From the description of E. B. Washburne autograph collection, 1766-1888. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 80044073

From the guide to the E. B. Washburne autograph collection, 1766-1888., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Illinois attorney, U.S. Senator from Illinois, Secretary of State under President Ulysses S. Grant, and U.S. minister to France.

From the description of Legal documents, 1844. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 361029536

American statesman; congressman.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Boston, Mass., to C.A. Morse, Esq., 1878 Nov. 29. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270659732

U.S. Congressman from Illinois, cabinet member, diplomat, and historian.

From the description of Papers, 1863, 1867. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 41395624

Washburne studied at Harvard Law School in 1839. After being admitted to the bar in 1840, he began work as a lawyer in Galena, Ill. In 1868, Washburne was appointed to a diplomatic position in France, where he served until 1877.

From the description of Documents concerning French Illinois, and Thomas Paine and the French Revolution : manuscript, [18--] (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612824017

Elihu Benjamin Washburne, a Representative in the U.S. Congress from Illinois, was born in Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine, in 1816. He was an assistant editor of the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and studied law at Harvard Law School in 1839. He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and moved to Galena, Illinois where he practiced law. He was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress and reelected as a Republican to the eight succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1853, to March 6, 1869, when he resigned. He served as Minister to France until 1877. He died in Chicago in 1887.

From the description of Letters, 1857-1869. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 55495367

Probable compiler of record.

From the description of Washburn family record, ca. 1737-1856, undated. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 70977852

U.S. representative from Illinois, diplomat, lawyer, and historian.

From the description of E. B. Washburne papers, 1829-1889 (bulk 1852-1882). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981205

Biographical Note

• 1816, Sept. 23: Born, Livermore, Me.
• 1836: Studied law, Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kent’s Hill, Maine
• 1839: Entered Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1840: Admitted to Massachusettts bar Moved to Galena, Ill.
• 1841 - 1845 : Practiced law, Galena, Ill.
• 1845: Married Adèle Gratiot
• 1848: Ran unsuccessfully as a Whig for election to Congress
• 1853 - 1869 : United States representative from Illinois
• 1869: Appointed secretary of state but resigned within a few days to become minister to France
• 1869 - 1877 : Minister to France
• 1880: Retired from active political life
• 1884 - 1887 : President, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill.
• 1887, Oct. 23: Died, Chicago, Ill.

From the guide to the E. B. Washburne Papers, 1829-1889, (bulk 1852-1882), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)