James Speed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Speed
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| 27th United States Attorney General | |
| In office December 2, 1864 – July 22, 1866 |
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| President | Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | Edward Bates |
| Succeeded by | Henry Stanbery |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 11, 1812 Jefferson County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | June 25, 1887 (aged 75) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Resting place | Cave Hill Cemetery Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig (Before 1860) Republican (1860–1887) |
| Spouse | Jane Cochran |
| Parent |
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| Education | St. Joseph's College, Kentucky (BA) Transylvania University (LLB) |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Unit | Louisville Home Guard |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
James Speed (born March 11, 1812 – died June 25, 1887) was an American lawyer, politician, and professor. He is best known for serving as the United States Attorney General under President Abraham Lincoln. This important job meant he was the chief lawyer for the U.S. government. Before this, he worked in the government of Kentucky and held other local political jobs.
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Early Life and Education
James Speed was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky. His father, John Speed, was a judge. James went to St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky. After that, he studied law at Transylvania University. He became a lawyer in Louisville in 1833.
A Lawyer and Politician
In 1841, James Speed met Abraham Lincoln, who would later become president. Lincoln was visiting James's brother, Joshua, at the Speed family home called Farmington in Louisville. James and Lincoln were both lawyers. They met almost every day to talk about legal issues. James Speed even let Lincoln borrow books from his own law library.
Unlike his brother, James Speed was strongly against slavery. He was active in the Whig Party. In 1847, he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. Even early in his career, Speed pushed for the end of slavery in America. However, many voters in Kentucky did not agree with him at that time.
From 1851 to 1854, Speed worked on the Louisville Board of Aldermen, which is like a city council. He was even its president for two years. He also taught law at the University of Louisville from 1856 to 1858. He returned to teach there again later, from 1872 to 1879.
Role During the Civil War
As the American Civil War was about to begin, James Speed worked hard to keep Kentucky from leaving the Union. He also became a leader of the Louisville Home Guard, a local defense group. In 1861, he was elected to the Kentucky Senate. There, he became a main leader for those who supported the Union. In 1862, he suggested a law to take property from people in Kentucky who supported the Confederacy.
In December 1864, President Abraham Lincoln chose James Speed to be the United States Attorney General. After Lincoln was assassinated, Speed continued to serve under President Andrew Johnson. Speed believed that African American men should be allowed to vote. He became unhappy with President Johnson's changing policies. Because of this, Speed left his job in July 1866 and went back to being a lawyer.
After the War
After the Civil War, Speed continued to be involved in politics. He was chosen to lead a big meeting called the National Union Convention in Philadelphia in 1866. However, his ideas about racial equality were not popular in Kentucky. He tried to become a U.S. Senator in 1867 but did not win.
In 1868, Speed hoped to become the Vice President of the United States for the Republicans, but another person was chosen. He also ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1870 but lost that election too. In 1872, he was a delegate for Kentucky at the Republican National Convention.
He was honored for his service to the Union during the Civil War by joining the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Later Life and Legacy
James Speed passed away in Louisville in 1887. He is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in that city. His family's old home, Farmington, is now a historic place. Even though the farm is much smaller now, the house has been fixed up. It is used for events and for showing how people lived in the past.
James Speed in Movies
- In the 1924 film The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln, William von Hardenburg played James Speed.
- The actor John Lescault played Speed in the 1998 TV movie The Day Lincoln Was Shot.
- In the 2012 movie Lincoln, Richard Topol played James Speed.
