Eli M. Saulsbury | |
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United States Senator from Delaware |
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In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1889 |
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Preceded by | Willard Saulsbury Sr. |
Succeeded by | Anthony Higgins |
Member of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
In office 1853-1855 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Kent County, Delaware |
December 29, 1817
Died | March 22, 1893 Dover, Delaware |
(aged 75)
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Dover, Delaware |
Alma mater | Dickinson College |
Profession | lawyer |
Eli May Saulsbury (December 29, 1817 - March 22, 1893) was a lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
Saulsbury was born in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, son of William & Margaret Ann Smith Saulsbury. He was the middle brother of Governor Gove Saulsbury and U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury Sr. Saulsbury was educated at Dickinson College, studied law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1857, and began his practice in Dover, Delaware, where he lived.
Saulsbury served one term in the State House, during the 1853/54 session. In 1870 he successfully challenged his younger brother, incumbent U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury Sr. for his seat in the U.S. Senate. He went on to win three full terms, but was defeated in an attempt for a fourth term by Republican candidate Anthony Higgins. He was in office from March 4, 1871 until March 3, 1889, and served on the Committee on Privileges and Elections in the 46th Congress, and the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the 47th Congress through the 50th Congress.
Saulsbury died at Dover and is buried there in the Silver Lake Cemetery.
Elections are held the first week of November. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the first week of January. The State House has a term of two years. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term.