Daniel D. Tompkins | |
---|---|
6th Vice President of the United States | |
In office March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825 |
|
President | James Monroe |
Preceded by | Elbridge Gerry |
Succeeded by | John C. Calhoun |
4th Governor of New York | |
In office July 1, 1807 – February 24, 1817 |
|
Lieutenant |
John Broome DeWitt Clinton John Tayler |
Preceded by | Morgan Lewis |
Succeeded by | John Tayler (Acting) |
Personal details | |
Born |
Daniel Tompkins June 21, 1774 Scarsdale, New York, British America |
Died | June 11, 1825 Castleton, New York, U.S. |
(aged 50)
Political party | Democratic-Republican |
Spouse(s) | Hannah Minthorne |
Alma mater | Columbia University |
Religion | Presbyterianism |
Signature |
Daniel D. Tompkins (June 21, 1774 – June 11, 1825) was an American politician. He was the fourth Governor of New York (1807–17), and the sixth Vice President of the United States (1817–25).
A jurist by background, he was notable as one of the most enterprising governors in the War of 1812. To help organize the state militia, he often invested his own capital when the legislature would not approve the necessary funds. After the war, he failed to recover these massive loans, despite endless litigation, which took a toll on his health, and induced the alcoholism that affected his performance as Vice President. Tompkins was frequently absent from Senate meetings and died soon after leaving office.
Tompkins was baptized Daniel Tompkins, but added the middle initial "D." while a student at Columbia College to distinguish himself from another Daniel Tompkins there. There is controversy as to what the middle initial stood for; some have suggested "Decius." The generally accepted conclusion is that it did not stand for anything, and served only to distinguish him from the other Daniel Tompkins.
Daniel D. Tompkins was born in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York at his home, the estate of Fox Meadow. He was the son of Sarah Ann (Hyatt) and Jonathan Griffin Tompkins. He graduated from Columbia College in New York City in 1795. Tompkins studied law and in 1797 was admitted to the bar, practicing in New York City. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1801, a member of the New York State Assembly in 1804, and was elected to the 9th United States Congress, but resigned before the beginning of the term to accept, at age 30, an appointment as associate justice of the New York Supreme Court, in which capacity he served from 1804 to 1807. His brother, Caleb Tompkins (1759–1846), was a United States Representative from New York from 1817 to 1821.