Duane family
A leading national opinion maker and influential regional politician, tied by marriage to the families of Benjamin Franklin and cognate families, William Duane (1760-1835) played key roles in the field of political journalism, as well as national, Pennsylvania and local Philadelphia politics. Editor of the Aurora, William Duane (1760-1835) assured himself gratitude from Jefferson and the Republicans and enmity from President Adams and the Federalists for his open and effective attacks on Federalist policies. His son William John Duane (1780-1865), was a prominent member of the Pennsylvania legislature, a legal advisor to Stephen Girard, Solicitor for many of Philadelphia's premier institutions, and Treasurer of the United States (June-September 1833).
Born near Lake Champlain, NY in 1760 to John and Anastasia Duane, William Duane was sent to Ireland at the age of eleven to be raised by his mother's family. Receiving a quality education due to his mother's relative wealth, he was nonetheless disinherited upon his marriage to a Protestant. Moving to England for a short time to stay with an uncle and learn the printing business, he then removed to India in 1784 in order establish himself. Starting up a newspaper, The World, in Calcutta, William became quite successful in acquiring increased business and real estate holdings. Falling upon disfavor with the East India Company, he was subsequently kidnapped and involuntarily shipped back to England. Failing redress in compensation from the East India Company or Parliament, he decided to become a reporter on Parliament for a journal which ultimately became the London Times . Returning to America in 1795, William began work for the Aurora, a paper established by Benjamin Franklin Bache. William took over the editorship in of the Aurora in 1798 upon Bache's death, and transformed the Aurora from a local Republican paper into a state and national political organ. A partisan publication, the Aurora under William Duane became even more heavily associated with Jeffersonian politics and a thorn in the Federalists side. William became the focus of President Adams ire, with his ridicule of the Alien and Sedition Acts generating a great deal of hostile attention. Often openly physically attacked by Federalist sympathizers, he persevered and was credited by Jefferson with securing Pennsylvania and therefore the Presidency for him. William became heavily influential in Pennsylvania state politics, with the ability to determine the nomination of at least two Pennsylvania governors. With the War of 1812, William was appointed U. S. Adjutant General with the rank of Colonel. In 1822, he sold the Aurora and entered a new phase in his life. William traveled throughout South America in 1822, developing contacts, and surveying the political situation. Upon his return, he was appointed prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for the eastern district, a post he retained until his death in 1835.
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