John C. Breckinridge |
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 1860 portrait |
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| 14thVice President of the United States |
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In office
March 4, 1857 –March 4, 1861 |
| President | James Buchanan |
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| Preceded by | William R. King |
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| Succeeded by | Hannibal Hamlin |
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| 5thConfederate States Secretary of War |
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In office
February 6, 1865 –May 10, 1865 |
| President | Jefferson Davis |
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| Preceded by | James Seddon |
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| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
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United States Senator
fromKentucky |
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In office
March 4, 1861 –December 4, 1861 |
| Preceded by | John J. Crittenden |
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| Succeeded by | Garrett Davis |
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Member of theU.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Kentucky's8th district |
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In office
March 4, 1851 –March 3, 1855 |
| Preceded by | Charles Morehead |
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| Succeeded by | Alexander Marshall |
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Member of the
Kentucky House of Representatives
fromFayette County |
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In office
1849–1850 |
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| Personal details |
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| Born | John Cabell Breckinridge
(1821-01-16)January 16, 1821
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Died | May 17, 1875(1875-05-17) (aged 54)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Resting place | Lexington Cemetery |
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| Political party | Democratic |
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Other political
affiliations | Southern Democratic (1860) |
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| Spouse(s) | |
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| Children | 6, includingClifton andJohn |
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| Parents | |
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| Relatives | Breckinridge family |
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| Education | |
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| Signature |  |
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| Military service |
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| Allegiance | |
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| Branch/service | |
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| Years of service | - 1847–1848 (U.S.)
- 1861–1865 (C.S.)
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| Rank | |
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| Battles/wars | |
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John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 – May 17, 1875) was a lawyer,U.S. representative,U.S. senator fromKentucky, and the 14thvice president of the United States.[1] He was a member from Kentucky in the House of Representatives from 1851 to 1855. He served as vice president from 1857 to 1861 underPresidentJames Buchanan.[2] Breckinridge was the youngest vice president inU.S. history.[2]
Breckinridge was also aSouthern Democratic candidate for president in the1860 election. TheDemocratic Party was then split, with theSouth voting for Breckinridge and theNorth voting forStephen Douglas. Breckinridge carried most of the South but lost to theRepublican Party's candidate,Abraham Lincoln.
When the South seceded, Breckinridge was briefly a senator from Kentucky, but he was kicked out of the Senate. He theeeeen became active in theConfederacy. During theAmerican Civil War, he was ageneral in theConfederate States Army. He fought inTennessee and theShenandoah Valley. He was the Confederate commander at theBattle of New Market. He was the last Confederate Secretary of War.
After the war, Breckinridge left the country for four years. He returned to Kentucky in 1869 and died in 1875.
