Henry Lawrence Burnett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Lawrence Burnett
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| U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | |
| In office January 1898 – January 1906 |
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| President | William McKinley Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Wallace Macfarlane |
| Succeeded by | Henry L. Stimson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1838 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 1916 (aged 77) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Slate Hill Cemetery Goshen, New York |
| Spouses |
Grace Hoffman
(m. 1858; Sarah Gibson Lansing
(m. 1867; Agnes Suffern Tailer
(m. 1882) |
| Education | Chester Academy Hiram Academy |
| Alma mater | Ohio State National Law School |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Major Brevet Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War: • Battle of Carthage • Battle of Old Fort Wayne • Knoxville Campaign |
Henry Lawrence Burnett (December 26, 1838 – January 4, 1916) was an American lawyer and soldier. He served as a major in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he became a Judge Advocate, which means he was a military lawyer.
One of his most important roles was being a prosecutor in the famous trial that followed the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. After the war, he continued his career as a lawyer and later became a federal prosecutor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henry Lawrence Burnett was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1838. His father, Henry Burnett, was an abolitionist, someone who worked to end slavery. His family had a long history in America, with ancestors who were important figures like William Burnett, a colonial governor.
Henry didn't want to be a farmer like many people at the time. He ran away from home to get a good education. He studied at Chester Academy and Hiram College. At Hiram, one of his teachers was James A. Garfield, who later became a U.S. President!
In 1855, Henry began studying law at the Ohio State National Law School. He graduated in 1859 and started practicing law in Warren, Ohio, in 1860.
A Career in Law and War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Henry Lawrence Burnett joined the 2nd Ohio Cavalry. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a major in 1862. He led 400 cavalry soldiers on a mission into the Oklahoma Territory.
In 1863, he was seriously injured after being trampled by a horse. Because of his injury, he transferred to the Judge Advocate General's Corps. This meant he would serve as a military lawyer for the Department of the Ohio.
In 1865, he was promoted to brevet colonel in the Judge Advocate Corps. A "brevet" rank is an honorary promotion, often given for brave actions or good service.
The Lincoln Assassination Trial
After President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, Henry Burnett was asked to be an Assistant Judge Advocate General. This was a very important job. He worked alongside John Bingham and Joseph Holt, the main Judge Advocate General.
They were in charge of prosecuting the people accused of being involved in the plot to kill Lincoln. The accused included George Atzerodt, David Herold, Lewis Powell, Samuel Arnold, Michael O'Laughlen, Edman Spangler, Samuel Mudd, and Mary Surratt.
The trial started on May 10, 1865. The prosecutors worked for nearly two months to present their case. They showed that there were two parts to the conspiracy. The first plan was to kidnap Lincoln. The second, more serious plan, was to kill Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward to cause chaos in the government.
On June 29, the eight accused people were found guilty. Some were sentenced to prison, while others, including Mary Surratt, were sentenced to hang. Mary Surratt was the first woman in American history to be executed.
After the trial, in October 1865, Burnett left the army. However, he was later given the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general in May 1866 for his excellent service.
After the War: A Distinguished Law Career
In late 1865, Henry Burnett moved to New York City and continued his law practice. He worked with several important lawyers and judges over the years. He was involved in many significant legal cases.
In 1898, President William McKinley, who was a close friend of Burnett's, appointed him as the federal district attorney for the southern district of New York. This meant he was the chief prosecutor for the U.S. government in that area.
After his first four-year term, President Theodore Roosevelt reappointed him in 1901. Henry Burnett served in this important role until he retired in 1906.
Personal Life
Henry Lawrence Burnett was married three times and had several children. His first wife was Grace "Kitty" Hoffman, whom he married in 1858. After her death, he married Sarah Gibson Lansing in 1867. His third and final marriage was to Agnes Suffern Tailer in 1882.
He passed away on January 4, 1916, at his home in New York City. He had been ill for about a year. He was buried in Slate Hill Cemetery in Goshen, New York.
Henry Burnett was also active in society. In 1892, he and his wife Agnes were included in "The Four Hundred", a list of New York's most important families at the time. He was a member of several clubs, including the Metropolitan Club and the Century Association. He also served as president of the Ohio Society of New York.
He and his wife bought a horse-breeding farm called "Hillside Farm" in Goshen, New York. He enjoyed racing his horses there.
Published Works
- Some Incidents in the Trial of President Lincoln's Assassins (1888)
- Hancock's Relation to the Trial and Execution of Mrs. Surratt (1888)
- The Controversy between President Johnson and Judge Holt (1889)
Images for kids
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Brig. Gen. Henry Lawrence Burnett
