Rufus Choate

Rufus Choate, born on October 1, 1799, was a distinguished American lawyer, orator, and senator who made significant contributions to the legal and political landscape of 19th century Massachusetts. As a member of the Whig Party, he became renowned for his exceptional legal acumen, arguing over a thousand cases throughout his career, which spanned virtually every branch of law recognized at the time.

One of Choate's notable achievements was his pioneering approach to arousing jury sympathy in tort cases. His skillful advocacy led to a landmark judgment of twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars for a severely injured widow, a record amount awarded to a plaintiff during that era.

In addition to his legal prowess, Choate was celebrated as one of the greatest orators of his time, alongside his close associate Daniel Webster. His eloquence shone through in his famous addresses, such as the 'Address on The Colonial Age of New England' delivered in 1831 and the 'Address on The Age of the Pilgrims as the Heroic Period of Our History' in 1843. Through these speeches, he emerged as a prominent advocate for recognizing the Puritan settlers as the foundational figures of the American republic.

A staunch nationalist and unionist, Choate was vocal in his opposition to the Republican Party, which he viewed as a sectional entity that threatened the unity of the nation. In the 1856 presidential election, he publicly supported Democratic candidate James Buchanan over Republican John C. Frémont, reflecting his commitment to preserving the Union.