Edwin Stanton

Edwin Stanton served as secretary of war under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He later served under President Andrew Johnson.


Edwin Stanton was born on December 19, 1814, in Steubenville, Ohio, to physician David Stanton and his wife, Lucy Norman Stanton. He is remembered in history for serving as secretary of war under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. He continued to served in that role under President Andrew Johnson after Lincoln's assassination, but a clash between Stanton and President Johnson over the country's future led to turmoil within the administration, as well as Stanton's eventual retreat from politics back into law.

Early Years

Edwin McMasters Stanton was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on December 19, 1814, to physician David Stanton and his wife, Lucy Norman Stanton. Edwin Stanton began his professional career as an attorney. His practice and impressive reputation grew in Washington, D.C. after years of working in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the nation's capital, he caught the attention of President James Buchanan, who appointed Stanton to the position of attorney general.