Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1779-03-02
Death 1851-12-12
Americans,
English,

Biographical notes:

Charleston and Georgetown, S.C. attorney, plantation owner, and politician. Poinsett served as the U.S. Secretary of War under President Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841.

From the description of Letters, 1837-1839. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 37522812

U.S. diplomat and secretary of war. An amateur of natural history, he imported and cultivated the Mexican flower named in his honor, and was one of the founders in 1840 of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts.

From the description of AL (3rd person) : Washington, D.C., to Aaron Ogden Dayton, [1840 May, no day]. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122442891

Charleston and Georgetown, S.C. attorney, plantation owner, South Carolina state legislator, and U.S. official.

From the description of Letter : to John W. Mitchell, 1838 March 23. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 37521978

Charles Nicoll Bancker was a merchant and financier.

From the guide to the Charles Nicoll Bancker family papers, 1733-1894, 1733-1894, (American Philosophical Society)

Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina attorney, plantation owner, politician, and U.S. diplomat and official. Poinsett was the first U.S. foreign minister to Mexico.

From the description of Letters to Isaac A. Johnson, 1821-1826. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32140207

Diplomat and statesman.

From the description of Letter : to the President of the United States, 1841 Jan. 7. (Historical Society of Washington, Dc). WorldCat record id: 70939766

From the description of Papers, 1806-1847. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 77732992

Physician, botanist, and American statesman. Represented South Carolina in the House of Representatives, 1821-1826; served as secretary of war, 1837-1841, during the Van Buren administration.

From the description of J. R. Poinsett signature, 1840 July 21. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 76969602

Charleston and Georgetown, S.C. attorney and politician. Poinsett was the first U.S. minister to Mexico.

From the description of Letter : Mexico, to LeRoy Bayard & Co., 1825 Dec. 6. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36865662

Statesman, diplomat, U.S. secretary of war, and public official from South Carolina.

From the description of Joel Roberts Poinsett papers, 1810-1850 (bulk 1810-1821). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981193

Charleston and Georgetown County, South Carolina attorney, plantation owner, diplomat, and politician. As a South Carolina state Representative, Poinsett was a member of the committees on inland navigation (1816-1819) and internal improvements (1817-1819). He served as president of the South Carolina Board of Public Works from 1819 to 1821, actively supervising the construction of several roads and canals. Poinsett married Mary Izard Pringle, the widow of John Julius Pringle (1784-1807).

From the description of Joel Roberts Poinsett papers, 1787-1851. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 35953535

U.S. minister to Mexico and secretary of war under Martin Van Buren.

From the description of Papers, 1825-1851. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20071383

Epithet: USA Minister to Mexico

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000408.0x00030b

Joel Roberts Poinsett was a diplomat and statesman. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1827.

From the description of Collection of Peruvian manuscripts,1790-1800, 1820. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122540832

From the guide to the Collection of Peruvian manuscripts, 1790-1800, 1820, Bulk, 1790-1800, 1790-1820, (American Philosophical Society)

American agent to Latin America and Secretary of War in the Van Buren administration.

From the description of Joel Roberts Poinsett letters from artists, 1824-1844. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122553134

South Carolina diplomat and statesman, first U.S. Minister to Mexico.

From the description of Letter : Mexico, to David Porter, 1828 March 22. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32141461

American legislator and diplomat.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Washington, to Robert Gilmor, 1832 Jan. 31. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617757

From the description of Autograph letter signed : "The Homestead," to Alfred Huger, 1836 Nov. 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617761

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Charleston, to an unidentified friend in New York, 1832 July 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270617763

Joel R. Poinsett was a physician, botanist and politician from South Carolina. He was the first U.S. minister to Mexico, and the U.S. Secretary of War from 1837-1841. He was also a cofounder of the National Institution for the Promotion of Science.

From the description of War Department proclamation, 1837. (New-York Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 709966598

South Carolina attorney, plantation owner, politician, and diplomat.

From the description of Letter : Washington, D.C., to Gen. Waddy Thompson, Mexico, 1842 July 9. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32144227

Attorney, plantation owner, diplomat, botanist, and politician; Secretary of war (1837 to 1841) under President Martin Van Buren; first U.S. Minster to Mexico (1825-1830); U.S. Representative; S.C. Representative; and planter of Georgetown and Charleston, S.C. As a South Carolina state Representative, Poinsett was a member of the committees on inland navigation (1816-1819) and internal improvements (1817-1819). He served as president of the South Carolina Board of Public Works from 1819 to 1821, actively supervising the construction of several roads and canals. Poinsett married Mary Izard Pringle, the widow of John Julius Pringle (1784-1807).

From the description of Joel Roberts Poinsett papers, 1804-1851. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 691258717

Charleston and Georgetown, S.C. attorney, plantation owner, and politician. Poinsett served as Secretary of War under President Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841.

From the description of Letter : to Henry Northup, 1839 Oct. 26. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 37521974

Archimedes Gaines was apparently a native Georgian and served in the U.S. Army (12th Infantry) from 1812 to 1818, when he deserted.

"Leadbetter, Daniel Parkhurst, a Representative from Ohio; born in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass., September 10, 1797... was admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced practice in Steubenville... elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1837-March 3, 1841)... member of the State constitutional convention in 1851; served as a captain in the Civil War in 1862; died in Millersburg, Ohio, on February 26, 1870."-- "Leadbetter, Daniel Parkhurst, (1797 - 1870)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. http://bioguide.congress.gov/ (Retrieved July 29, 2009)

"Poinsett, Joel Roberts (2 Mar. 1779-12 Dec. 1851), diplomat and statesman, was born in Charleston, South Carolina... Poinsett wanted a career as a soldier. Although the War of 1812 approached, and he repeatedly sought a military appointment, he had to settle for an assignment as a commercial agent to Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Based in Rio de Janeiro after 1808, his exact title was agent for seamen and commerce, the equivalent of a consul... He next became interested in South Carolina politics. By 1816 he won a seat in the state legislature and was reelected two years later... By 1821 Poinsett was elected to the federal Congress... In 1822 Poinsett interrupted his congressional activities for a year to undertake a secret assignment for President Monroe. This involved further travel throughout South America to survey revolutionary conditions, particularly in Mexico and Cuba... In 1825 President Monroe appointed Poinsett as the first American minister to Mexico. He stayed on there until the first part of 1830, although he was not popular among all Mexicans... A new president, Martin Van Buren, succeeded in recalling Poinsett to the nation's capital in 1837 as secretary of war, a position for which Poinsett was admirably fitted. At age fifty-eight, in addition to reorganizing and equipping both the army and state militias, he also oversaw the nation's exploratory expeditions as well as American Indian affairs... When President Van Buren left office, Poinsett again retired from public life, this time permanently." -- "Joel Roberts Poinsett." American National Biography Online. http://www.anb.org/ (Retrieved July 29, 2009)

From the description of Joel R. Poinsett letter, 1841 February 24. (University of Georgia). WorldCat record id: 428807667

Links to collections

Comparison

This is only a preview comparison of Constellations. It will only exist until this window is closed.

  • Added or updated
  • Deleted or outdated

Information

Permalink:
SNAC ID:

Subjects:

  • Travel
  • United States
  • Education
  • American Revolution
  • Antebellum Politics
  • Arctic Indians
  • Beyond Early America
  • Business and Skilled Trades
  • Canals
  • Cayuga Indians
  • Cement
  • Cherokee Indians
  • Colonial Politics
  • Colony and State Specific History
  • Creek Indians
  • Military deserters
  • Diplomatic and consular service, American
  • Diplomatic and consular service, Argentine
  • Diplomatic and consular service, Mexican
  • Diplomats
  • Early National Politics
  • Eastern Woodlands Indians
  • Foreign ministers
  • Foreign ministers
  • Foreign ministers
  • Freemasonry Lodges
  • Governor
  • History of science and technology
  • Incas
  • Indians of North America
  • Indians of North America
  • Indians of South America
  • Inland navigation
  • Insurance agents
  • International affairs
  • Inuit
  • Iroquois Indians
  • Isleta Indians
  • Land and Speculation
  • Land grants
  • Land titles
  • Learned institutions and societies
  • Legislators
  • Literature, Arts, and Culture
  • Marriage and Family Life
  • Military pensions
  • Mohawk Indians
  • Mothers' pension
  • Natural history
  • Natural history museums
  • Navies
  • Nullification (States' rights)
  • Ojibwa Indians
  • Oneida Indians
  • Onondaga Indians
  • Portrait painters
  • Pennsylvania History
  • Penobscot Indians
  • Philadelphia History
  • Physics
  • Politicians
  • Presidents
  • Public works
  • Science
  • Science
  • Secession
  • Seminole War, 2d, 1835-1842
  • Seminole War, 2nd, 1835-1842
  • Seneca Indians
  • Silver mines and mining
  • Social life and customs
  • Soldiers
  • South Carolina
  • Southwest Indians
  • Survivors' benefits
  • Survivors' benefits
  • Tariff
  • Trade
  • Transportation
  • Tuscarora Indians
  • Winnebago Indians
  • Women's history

Occupations:

  • Cabinet officers
  • Collector
  • Diplomats
  • Merchants
  • Politicians
  • Public officials
  • Secretaries (public officers)
  • Statesmen

Places:

  • New York (N.Y.) (as recorded)
  • Spanish America (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • Texas (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • Peru (as recorded)
  • Chile (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Florida (as recorded)
  • Río de la Plata (Viceroyalty) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Europe (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • Charleston (S.C.) (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Texas (as recorded)
  • Texas (as recorded)
  • Washington (D.C.) (as recorded)
  • New York (State) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Peru (as recorded)
  • Pennsylvania Avenue (Washington, D.C.) (as recorded)
  • Rock Creek (Md. and Washington, D.C.) (as recorded)
  • Peru (as recorded)
  • United States - Commerce - To 1865 (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Argentina (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Georgia (as recorded)
  • Soviet Union (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • United States - Social conditions - To 1865 (as recorded)
  • North Carolina (as recorded)
  • Chile (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Latin America (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • Latin America (as recorded)
  • South Carolina (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Mexico (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Latin America (as recorded)
  • Chile (as recorded)

SNAC Cooperative Logo

Social Networks and Archival Context

SNAC is a discovery service for persons, families, and organizations found within archival collections at cultural heritage institutions.

Sponsors

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Endowment for the Humanities

Hosts

University of Virginia Library
National Archives and Records Administration