Thomas H. Benton

(March 14, 1782 - April 10, 1858)

Thomas H. Benton was a Senator (Tennesee, 1809, Missouri, 1820 - 1851). He led the fight against the Bank of the United States with Andrew Jackson.

He was against allowing slavery in the new states and territories, which was a generally unpopular position to be taking in the democratic party of his time. This cost him his senate seat in 1851. He moved to the House of Representatives for another two years. (1853 - 1855)