John Cabell Breckinridge

Democrat Senator of Kentucky

Congresses Served

House Terms

Senate Terms

January 16, 1821 (54 years old)

Birthday

May 17, 1875

Death

Served as the 14th Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861
Youngest-ever vice president at age 36
Ran for president in 1860 as a Southern Democrat
Served in the U.S. Senate during the outbreak of the American Civil War
Expelled from the Senate after joining the Confederate Army
Appointed Confederate Secretary of War in 1865
Born to a prominent Kentucky family
Served as a noncombatant during the Mexican–American War
Elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1849
Supported the Kansas–Nebraska Act
Advocated for states’ rights and slavery
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1851
Supported the proslavery Lecompton Constitution for Kansas
Urged compromise to preserve the Union as Civil War approached
Fled to Confederate lines and became a brigadier general
Criticized for alleged drunkenness by Braxton Bragg, but regarded as an effective military commander
Concluded the war was hopeless and urged Jefferson Davis to arrange a national surrender
Escaped the country and lived abroad for over three years after the war
Returned to Kentucky in 1868 but did not resume his political career
Died in 1875, regarded as well-liked in Kentucky and other Southern states but reviled by many in the North as a traitor