George Clinton, (1739-1812), American public official, influential in the
politics of the Revolutionary and early national periods. Clinton served
seven times as governor of New York (1777-1795 and 1800-1804) and was twice
elected VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (1805-1812), serving under presidents JEFFERSON
and MADISON.
Clinton was born in Little Britain, N.Y., on July 26, 1739. He served in
the French and Indian War, then studied and practiced law and entered the
New York Assembly. During the controversy with Britain he became known as a
fiery radical. Clinton was elected to the Second Continental Congress, but,
having been commissioned a brigadier general in the militia in December
1775, he was absent for the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The outbreak of the Revolution saw Clinton entrusted with the defense of
the Hudson River valley. By his own admission, however, he was an
ineffectual military strategist, and his lack of tactical skill led to the
loss of Fort Montgomery and the burning of Esopus in the fall of 1777.
He returned to New York politics in 1777, becoming the state's first
governor, and built a powerful political machine. He was respected for his
management of finances, astute handling of a dangerous Indian problem, and
severe treatment of Loyalists.
Perceiving that a strong national government would shift power from the
states, Clinton opposed the U.S. CONSTITUTION.
He presided over New York's ratifying convention in order to block
ratification. However, when the Constitution had been approved by the
necessary nine states, he acquiesced in New York's ratification.
In the 1790s Clinton cast his lot with the Democratic Republicans. He
retired from the governorship in 1795 but was reelected in 1801. In 1804 he
was elected vice president under Thomas Jefferson. Failing in his
presidential ambitions in 1808, he accepted the second spot again under
James Madison, whom he openly despised. He died in Washington, D.C., on
April 20, 1812.
Arthur Shaffer
University of Missouri at St. Louis
