Metcalfe, Thomas, 1780-1855

Thomas Metcalfe, born March 10, 1780, was governor of Kentucky from 1828-1832. Before serving as governor, he was a Kentucky representative and a U.S. representative. In the 1820's, he joined the John Quincy Adams-Henry Clay political faction which became known as the National Republicans. After serving as governor, Metcalfe served as state senator (1834-38) and then held a brief term (June 1848-March 1849) in the U.S. Senate, where he denounced secession. In 1848, he campaigned on behalf of Zachary Taylor in his bid for the presidency. His argument with John Cabell Breckinridge stemmed from Free-Soil speeches Metcalfe and Breckinridge's opponent for a U.S. House seat, Robert Perkins Letcher, made while campaigning in Indiana for Taylor. A friend of Breckinridge, John F. Robinson, had the speeches printed in Kentucky papers just as the race between Letcher and Breckinridge gathered steam. Metcalfe lived the rest of his life at his Nicholas County farm, Forest Retreat, where he died of cholera in 1855.

From the description of Thomas Metcalfe letters, 1824-1852. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 39086430

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