Life of Thomas Hart Benton, (American Statesmen)
Category: Books
Life of Thomas Hart Benton, (American Statesmen) Details
Former library book with relevant markings; cover shows some handling and shelf wear; all pages intact and sharp; First Printing; Title Page: Boston and New York; Houghton, Mifflin and Company; The Riverside Press, Cambridge, 1887; Next page—Copyright 1886, by Theodore Roosevelt Read more
Reviews
By reading future President Theodore Roosevelt's 1880s biography of Thomas Hart Benton, you get two for the price of one when it comes to interesting historical figures.Thomas Hart Benton-Benton was a five term Senator from Missouri and later a Representative. He was a Jacksonian Democrat in the same manner as its namesake, strongly pro-Union and not interested in the separationist tendencies the Party developed after Jackson's presidency. He was also one of the early western Senators, which brought with it a broad support of manifest destiny. He was at the center of many of the great political struggles of his five years in the Senate, but unlike the famous Senate triumvirate of Calhoun, Webster, and Clay who served at the same time he never served in an Administration and appeared to lack presidential ambitions.Theodore Roosevelt-The man who would be president was a prodigious writer, even once in the White House, and a master of many subjects including Benton. But the book also gives insights into his own views including his support for westward expansion, his uncaring response to Native American removal, his strong Union instincts, some of his constitutional interpretations including support for federal power, and his interest in the "warlike" spirit.The book is largely a history of Benton's involvement in national affairs, as opposed to a full biography of his life. His early years are dealt with quickly and discussion of his wife and family is addressed towards the end of the book. One area where that really hurts is a discussion of Benton's relationship with his son-in-law, John Fremont. The California hero and first Republican Presidential candidate gave Benton further ties to the West and greater political reach.I am sure historical scholarship has added to the knowledge and interpretation of Benton's life, but Roosevelt's volume seems pretty well researched. One area that did surprise me was the nullification crisis (where Benton joined Jackson against extreme elements of his own Party in support of the Union). My understanding is that this ended in a clear victory for Jackson in the Union, but Teddy's telling is more ambiguous with both sides being vindicated. Another interesting note is that TR was not always enthralled with his subject and often dismissive of some of his positions and speeches. Many biographers are captured by their subjects, but not TR.