United States Senator & Congressman from Pennsylvania

United States Secretary of the Treasury

(1761-1849) Born in Geneva, in what is now present day Switzerland, he immigrated to America in the 1780's. He was naturalized in Morgantown, Va., and ultimately settled in Pennsylvania. He served as U.S. Senator 1793-94; U.S. Congressman, 1795-1801; U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, 1801-14; U.S. Minister to France, 1816-23; and U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, 1826-27. Gallatin then settled in New York City, where he helped found New York University in 1831 to offer university education to the working and merchant classes as well as the wealthy. He became president of the National Bank in New York City from 1831 to 1839. His last great endeavor was founding the American Ethnological Society in 1842, and serving as its president until 1848. With his studies of the languages of Native Americans, he has been called "the father of American ethnology." At his death in 1849, Gallatin was the last surviving member of President Thomas Jefferson's Cabinet and the last surviving senator from the 18th century.

Antique, portrait engraving. Seated view of Gallatin holding his top hat and cane. Overall size is 5 7/8 x 9. Circa mid 1860's.