Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Simon Cameron (1799-1889), journalist and printer from Pennsylvania, had a long and active political career with the Republican Party, which he joined in 1856. He served in the U.S. Senate (1845-1849, 1856-1860, 1872); as Secretary of War to Abraham Lincoln (1861-1862); as Minister to Russia (1862); as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (1872-1877).

From the description of Simon Cameron Papers, 1738-1889 1860-1880. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 150499672

Pennsylvania newspaper editor and businessman; president, Northern Central Railroad; adjutant general of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania senator, 1845-1849, 1857-1861, 1867-1877; secretary of war, 1861-1862; U.S. minister to Russia, 1862.

From the description of Letters, 1861-1862. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 27989352

From the description of Letter and telegram, 1853, 1861. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 27989347

Diplomat, U.S. senator of Pennsylvania and U.S. secretary of war.

From the description of Papers of Simon Cameron, 1861-1892. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71067812

Financier, U.S. secretary of war, U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, and diplomat.

From the description of Papers of Simon Cameron, 1738-1919 (bulk 1860-1880). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71067606

American financier and politician.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Harrisburg, to William W. Belknap, 1874 July 8. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270133412

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Lochiel [Indiana?], to Robert Toombs, 1859 Oct. 10. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270133481

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Harrisburg, to W.B. Lewis, 1833 Dec. 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270133411

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Washington, to Col. Seymour, 1850 Apr. 29. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270134337

From the description of Letter signed : Senate Chamber, to the President, 1871 Dec. 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270135714

Pennsylvania politician; Lincoln's first Secretary of War, appointed minister to Russia in 1862 following complaints about corruption in his administration of the department.

From the description of ALS, 1862 Mar. 13, Lockiel, to A.T. Goodman. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122490233

American secretary of war (1861-1862).

From the description of Letter signed : Washington, D.C., 1861 Aug. 17. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 639616949

Biographical Note

• 1799, Mar. 8: Born, Donegal, Pa.
• 1820: Editor, Bucks County Messenger, Harrisburg, Pa.
• 1822: Editor, Pennsylvania Intelligencer, Harrisburg, Pa.
• 1824: Purchased the Republican, Harrisburg, Pa.
• 1825 (?): Appointed state printer, Pennsylvania
• 1826: Adjutant general, Pennsylvania
• 1838: Appointed commissioner to settle accounts of Winnebago Indians
• 1845 - 1849 : Elected as a Democrat and served in seat vacated by James Buchanan in United States Senate; failed to win reelection
• 1855: Unsuccessful candidate for United States Senate
• 1856: Joined Republican Party on its formation and elected to the United States Senate from Pennsylvania
• 1860: Unsuccessful candidate for presidential and vice-presidential nominations
• 1861: Appointed secretary of war
• 1862: Resigned from cabinet; appointed and resigned as minister to Russia
• 1866: Elected to the United States Senate from Pennsylvania
• 1872: Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
• 1877: Retired from United States Senate and relinquished control of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania in favor of his son, J. D. Cameron
• 1889, June 26: Died, Donegal, Pa.

From the guide to the Simon Cameron Papers, 1738-1919, (bulk 1860-1880), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)