Amos Kendall
Encyclopedia
Amos Kendall was an American
politician who served as U.S. Postmaster General under Andrew Jackson
and Martin Van Buren
. Many historians regard Kendall as the intellectual force behind Andrew Jackson's presidential administration, and an influential figure in the transformation of America from an agrarian republic to a capitalist democracy. In 1857, Kendall opened a school for deaf children, which later expanded and became Gallaudet University
for the deaf.
Kendall completed his secondary studies at Lawrence Academy at Groton
, class of 1807, and his collegiate studies at Dartmouth College
. Prior to becoming Postmaster General, Kendall was editor of both the Argus of Western America, the organ of Kentucky progressivism, and the Washington Globe, the organ for the Jackson Administration. He worked closely with Van Buren, Francis P. Blair
, and other members of Jackson's official and kitchen cabinets. John Quincy Adams, a bitter foe of both Jackson and Van Buren, confided to his diary in December 1840 that he believed both men had been "for twelve years the tool of Amos Kendall, the ruling mind of their dominion." Kendall tutored the children of Henry Clay
, who was a political enemy of Jackson, and was nursed back to health after a grave illness by Clay's wife, Lucretia. In 1862, Kendell helped found Calvary Baptist Church.
Kendell was the first press secretary of the U.S. federal government.
At the time of his death in 1869, Kendall was the last surviving member of the Jackson and Van Buren Cabinets.
Kendall County, Illinois
, and Kendall, New York
, are named in Kendall's honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as U.S. Postmaster General under Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
and Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
. Many historians regard Kendall as the intellectual force behind Andrew Jackson's presidential administration, and an influential figure in the transformation of America from an agrarian republic to a capitalist democracy. In 1857, Kendall opened a school for deaf children, which later expanded and became Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
for the deaf.
Kendall completed his secondary studies at Lawrence Academy at Groton
Lawrence Academy at Groton
Lawrence Academy at Groton, , is a co-educational preparatory school located in Groton, Massachusetts, in the United States...
, class of 1807, and his collegiate studies at Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
. Prior to becoming Postmaster General, Kendall was editor of both the Argus of Western America, the organ of Kentucky progressivism, and the Washington Globe, the organ for the Jackson Administration. He worked closely with Van Buren, Francis P. Blair
Francis Preston Blair
Francis Preston Blair, Sr. was an American journalist and politician.-Biography:Blair was born at Abingdon, Virginia. He moved to Kentucky, graduated from Transylvania University in 1811, took to journalism, and was a contributor to Amos Kendall's paper, the Argus, at Frankfort...
, and other members of Jackson's official and kitchen cabinets. John Quincy Adams, a bitter foe of both Jackson and Van Buren, confided to his diary in December 1840 that he believed both men had been "for twelve years the tool of Amos Kendall, the ruling mind of their dominion." Kendall tutored the children of Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, who was a political enemy of Jackson, and was nursed back to health after a grave illness by Clay's wife, Lucretia. In 1862, Kendell helped found Calvary Baptist Church.
Kendell was the first press secretary of the U.S. federal government.
At the time of his death in 1869, Kendall was the last surviving member of the Jackson and Van Buren Cabinets.
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
, and Kendall, New York
Kendall, New York
Kendall is a town in Orleans County, New York, United States. The population was 2,838 at the 2000 census. The Town of Kendall is in the northeast corner of the county and is northwest of Rochester.- History :...
, are named in Kendall's honor.