Hannibal Hamlin (Dictionary of United States History)

Hamlin, Hannibal (1809-1893), was admitted to the bar in 1833. He was a member of the Maine Legislature from 1836 to 1840 and in 1847, being chosen Speaker in 1837, 1839 and 1840. He was a Democratic Representative in Congress from 1842 to 1846, was elected a U. S. Senator in 1848 and served till 1857. He changed his party affiliation on account of anti-slavery sentiments, and was chosen Governor by the Republicans in 1857. He resigned and served in the U. S. Senate from 1857 to 1861, when he was elected Vice-President of the United States on the ticket with Abraham Lincoln, and was a member of the Senate from 1869 to 1881, when he was appointed Minister to Spain and served one year.