Benjamin Franklin Butler

Benjamin Franklin Butler was born December 14, 1795, in Kinderhook Landing, New York. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1817, and established a legal practice with MARTIN VAN

BUREN in Albany, New York. From 1821 to 1824 Butler performed the duties of district attorney for Albany County.

Butler entered politics in 1827, serving in the New York State Legislature for six years. He subsequently acted as U.S. attorney general from 1833 to 1838; during this time he also fulfilled the duties of secretary of war from 1836 to 1837.

In 1838, Butler returned to New York and served as U.S. district attorney from 1838 to 1841 and from 1845 to 1848.

Butler died November 8, 1858, in Paris, France.