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James Gillespie Blaine (1830–1893)
Blaine, James Gillespie. An eminent American statesman; born in West Brownsville, PA, Jan. 31, 1830; died in Washington, DC, Jan. 27, 1893. He graduated at Washington College, PA, in 1847. In 1854 he removed to Augusta, ME, and engaged in journalism. He was one of the founders of the Republican party, and in 1856 was a delegate to the first Republican national convention, which nominated Frémont for the Presidency. In 1858, he was elected to the Legislature of Maine, and in 1862 to the House of Representatives of the national Congress. He became speaker of the House in 1869, and held that position for six years; was a member of the Senate from 1876 to 1881; was twice Secretary of State (1881–82 and 1889–92). He was nominated for the Presidency in 1884. Besides his numerous speeches and writings on the public questions of his day, his best-known work is his ‘Twenty Years in Congress’ (2 vols., 1884–86).