Robert B. McAfee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theKentucky Senate | |
| In office 1837–1845 | |
| In office 1819–1824 | |
| 5thUnited States Chargé d'Affaires, New Granada andEcuador | |
| In office July 1, 1833 – June 20, 1837 | |
| President | Andrew Jackson |
| Preceded by | Thomas Patrick Moore |
| Succeeded by | James Semple |
| 8th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office August 24, 1824 – August 26, 1828 | |
| Governor | Joseph Desha |
| Preceded by | William T. Barry |
| Succeeded by | John Breathitt |
| Member of theKentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1828–1832 | |
| In office 1819–1821 | |
| In office 1800–1812 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Breckinridge McAfee February 18, 1784 |
| Died | March 12, 1849(1849-03-12) (aged 65) Salt River, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | Transylvania University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812: • Battle of New Orleans • Battle of the Thames |
Robert Breckinridge McAfee (February 18, 1784 – March 12, 1849) was an American diplomat, historian and politician who was the eighthlieutenant governor of Kentucky serving from 1824 to 1828.
McAfee was born on February 18, 1784, inMercer County, Kentucky. He was the son of Robert McAfee (1745–1795) and Anne (née McCoun) McAfee (1746–1794), who were distant cousins.[1] Among his siblings was Samuel McAfee, Mary Ann (née McAfee) Adams, Sarah (née McAfee) Curran,[2] and Anne (née McAfee) Cardwell. His brother Samuel and sister Anne both married Cardwell siblings.[1] McAfee spent much of his leisure time in childhood hunting squirrels.[3]
McAfee was orphaned in 1795 after his father, a pioneer of Kentucky, was killed inNew Orleans, Louisiana. His guardian his father's friend and his namesake,[4]John Breckinridge, who later became theAttorney General of the United States under PresidentThomas Jefferson.[1]
McAfee attendedTransylvania University, graduating in 1797, and after studying law with Breckinridge, wasadmitted to the bar in 1801 and opened a practice inFranklin County, Kentucky. In 1800, he was elected to represent Mercer County in theKentucky House of Representatives and served there until he volunteered during theWar of 1812.[1]
During the War of 1812, McAfee served successively as sergeant, ensign and second lieutenant in theArmy of the Northwest in its border campaign, then asquartermaster and lastly as captain ofRichard Mentor Johnson's regiment in the expeditions against the Native Americans.[5] He was made General in theUnited States Army and commanded a troop raised by order ofGen.Andrew Jackson,[6] that took part in theBattle of New Orleans as well as theBattle of the Thames.[7] In 1816, his book,History of the War of 1812 was published.[8]
Following his military service, he lived inHarrodsburg, Kentucky, and was reelected to the House in 1819. In 1821, he was elected a member of theKentucky Senate and served in the Senate until resigning his seat in 1824 to run, successfully, forLieutenant Governor of Kentucky. McAfee was elected as aDemocratic-Republican and served from August 24, 1824, to August 26, 1828, under GovernorJoseph Desha.[9] He cast a tie-breaking vote that prevented the abolition of the "New Court" during theOld Court-New Court controversy in 1825. After serving as Lt. Governor, he returned to the legislature in 1828 and remained active in Democratic politics, voting for the nomination of Andrew Jackson as president andMartin Van Buren as vice president at the1832 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore.[1]
On February 9, 1833, PresidentAndrew Jackson named himChargé d'affaires toNew Granada andEcuador, which he served after presenting his credentials atBogotá on July 1, 1833, until he presented his recall on June 20, 1837.[10]
After McAfee returned to Kentucky, he was again reelected twice more to the Kentucky Senate in 1837 and 1841. In 1842, he was appointed to the Board of Visitors (board of trustees) of theUnited States Military Academy atWest Point and was elected its president in 1842.[1]
McAfee retired from politics in 1845, he returned to his farm and later the same year, he published his autobiography,The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee and His Family Connections.[11]
On October 14, 1807, McAfee was married to Mary "Polly" Cardwell (1793–1850).[12] Polly was the daughter of James Cardwell and Sarah Salley (née Crockett) Cardwell. Together, they were the parents of:[4]
McAfee died on March 12, 1849, at his home atSalt River, Kentucky. He was buried inNew Providence Churchyard inHarrodsburg, Kentucky.[1]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky 1824–1828 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Chargé d'affaires, New Granada 1833–1837 | Succeeded by |
 | ||
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Chargé d'Affaires | ||
| Minister Resident | ||
| Minister Resident | ||
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | ||
