Clement Claiborne Clay

(December 13, 1816 - January 3, 1882)

Clement Claiborne Clay was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He started his career as a lawyer. He was elected to the State legislature (1842-1845) and to the U.S. Senate (1853-1851). He left the U.S. Senate to enter the Confederate Senate. He turned down the post of Secretary of War for the Confederacy. After the Civil War he was imprisoned as a suspect in the plotting of the assassination of President Lincoln. He was never tried for this crime and was freed after nearly a year.

Trivia:

Clement Clay's cousin, Henry Clay appears on the Series 1869 $50.00 United States Notes.