1777 – 1852

Henry Clay

American politician from Kentucky (1777-1852)

diplomatjuristpoliticianlawyerwriter

Born

1777-04-12, Hanover County

Died

1852-06-29

Birthplace state

Virginia

Biography

Henry Clay was born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1777 and died in 1852. He worked as a lawyer, diplomat, and statesman, representing Kentucky in both houses of Congress and serving as the seventh Speaker of the House and ninth Secretary of State. Clay ran for president three times—in 1824, 1832, and 1844—without success. He was instrumental in founding the National Republican Party and later the Whig Party, and participated in resolving sectional disputes during his career.

Occupation

Henry Clay is recorded as a diplomat, a jurist, a politician, a lawyer and a writer, born in Virginia (1777–1852).

Connections to Virginia

Henry Clay was born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1777. Explore other notable figures from Virginia, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Virginia›Virginiahistory ›Historic sites in Virginia›

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Hanover County

Henry Clay came from Hanover County. A full Aubrey report on Hanover County pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Hanover County report

Or see a real report first

More notable figures from Virginia

Other historical figures born in Virginia, ranked by historical prominence.

George Washington

founding Father and first U.S. president; soldier and slave owner (1732–1799)

Thomas Jefferson

president of the United States from 1801 to 1809 (1743–1826)

James Madison

President of the United States from 1809 to 1817 (1751–1836)

James Monroe

president of the United States from 1817 to 1825 (1758–1831)

Zachary Taylor

president of the United States from 1849 to 1850

John Tyler

president of the United States from 1841 to 1845

William Henry Harrison

president of the United States in 1841

Frequently asked about Henry Clay

Who was Henry Clay?

Henry Clay was American politician from Kentucky (1777-1852), born in Virginia (1777 – 1852).

When and where was Henry Clay born?

Henry Clay was born on 1777-04-12 in Hanover County.

When did Henry Clay die?

Henry died on 1852-06-29.

What was Henry Clay known for?

Henry Clay is recorded as a diplomat, a jurist, a politician, a lawyer and a writer.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report