Dickinson, Donald McDonald, 1846-1917

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1846-01-17
Death 1917-10-15

Biographical notes:

Lawyer and U.S. postmaster general.

From the description of Donald McDonald Dickinson papers, 1863-1917. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 156849517

Donald McDonald Dickinson was born in New York on Jan. 17, 1846. He moved with his family to Mich. at the age of two. He was raised and educated in Detroit. In 1867, he received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Michigan and went into practice in Detroit that same year. He married Frances Platt on June 15, 1869. In 1872, he began his long and active participation in the Michigan Democratic party. Dickinson was considered one of the foremost Michigan Democratic leaders. During Grover Cleveland's first term as President, Dickinson served as an advisor to Cleveland and was appointed Postmaster General. Dickinson was one of the leaders in Cleveland's 1892 campaign and lead the Michigan delegation at the 1892 Democratic National Convention. After Cleveland's re-election, Dickinson took a less active role in politics and turned his attention to his law practice. In 1896, Cleveland named Dickinson to represent the U.S. in a dispute with Great Britain over the seal industry in the Bering Sea. Dickinson fell ill with cancer in 1908, but continued to practice law until 1912. From then until his death on Oct. 15, 1917, he lived a secluded life in his home in Trenton, Mich.

From the description of Donald McDonald Dickinson collection. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 40862669

Lawyer and U.S. Postmaster General in the Grover Cleveland administration.

From the description of Donald M. Dickinson papers, 1867-1906. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421365

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Subjects:

  • Bering Sea controversy
  • Labor
  • Labor movement
  • Lawyers
  • Railroads
  • Sealing
  • Strikes and lockouts
  • Working class

Occupations:

  • Cabinet officers
  • Lawyers

Places:

  • El Salvador (as recorded)
  • Michigan (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Bering Sea (as recorded)
  • El Salvador (as recorded)

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