James Hepburn Campbell facts for kids
James Hepburn Campbell (born February 8, 1820 – died April 12, 1895) was an important politician from Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is where laws are made for the whole country. He was a member of both the Opposition Party and the Republican Party. He also worked as an ambassador for the United States.
Contents
Life and Career of James Hepburn Campbell
Early Life and Education
James Hepburn Campbell was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He went to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and studied law. He finished his law studies in 1841. That same year, he became a lawyer and started his work in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. In 1842, he married Juliet Hamersley Lewis, who was an author. Her father, Judge Ellis Lewis, was a very important judge in Pennsylvania.
Political Journey
Campbell became involved in politics early in his life. He was a delegate at the 1844 Whig National Convention. This was a big meeting for the Whig political party.
Later, Campbell was elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress. He was elected as a candidate for the Opposition Party. This party was a group of politicians who were against the main party in power at that time. He tried to be re-elected in 1856 but did not win.
However, he was elected again to Congress as a Republican. He served in the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congresses. He chose not to run for re-election in 1862.
Service During the Civil War and Diplomacy
During the American Civil War, James Campbell served as a major. He was part of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Infantry.
In May 1864, President Abraham Lincoln chose him for an important job. Campbell became the Minister to Sweden. A minister is like an ambassador; they represent their country in another nation. He served in this role until March 1867. After that, he was offered another diplomatic job in Colombia, but he decided not to take it.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1867, Campbell moved to Philadelphia. He continued to work as a lawyer there. He passed away on April 12, 1895, at his home near Wayne, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.
