FISH, HAMILTON

(1808-1893), an American statesman; b. in New York. He graduated from Columbia University, in 1827, began practicing law in 1830 and in 1842 was elected to Congre as a Whig. In 1847 he was lieutenant governor of New York, and governor in the following year. In 1851 he became a U.S. Senator. He was one of the founders of the Republican Party shortly after. During the Civil War he was chairman of the Union Defense Committee in New York, later during the war period being a member of the commi ion for the exchange of prisoners. From 1869 to 1877 he was Secretary of State in President Grant’s Cabinet, as such being responsible for a number of inode negotiations entered into with foreign countries during this period.