Joel T. Headley
Encyclopedia
Joel Tyler Headley was an American
clergyman, historian
, Author
, newspaper editor and politician
who served as Secretary of State of New York
.
to a Presbyterian clergyman father, and he determined to take up the same occupation. He graduated from Union College
in 1839 and took a course in theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary in Auburn, New York
. After being ordained, he preached at Stockbridge, Massachusetts
, but soon had to give up his profession due to the strain, going to Europe in 1842. He turned to history writing, producing many works on various subjects. His writings were among the first to call attention to the Adirondack Mountains
as a health resort. He later accepted the solicitations of Horace Greeley
and became associate editor of the New York Tribune
. He was a member of the New York State Assembly
in 1855 and was New York Secretary of State from 1856 to 1857, elected on the American Party
ticket. He died in Newburgh, New York in 1897, having lived there for many years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergyman, historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, Author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, newspaper editor and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who served as Secretary of State of New York
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
.
Life
He was born at Walton, New YorkWalton (village), New York
Walton is a village in the town of Walton, Delaware County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 3,070.Walton is the home to the annual Delaware County Fair.-History:...
to a Presbyterian clergyman father, and he determined to take up the same occupation. He graduated from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1839 and took a course in theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary in Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
. After being ordained, he preached at Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,947 at the 2010 census...
, but soon had to give up his profession due to the strain, going to Europe in 1842. He turned to history writing, producing many works on various subjects. His writings were among the first to call attention to the Adirondack Mountains
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
as a health resort. He later accepted the solicitations of Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley was an American newspaper editor, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, a politician, and an outspoken opponent of slavery...
and became associate editor of the New York Tribune
New York Tribune
The New York Tribune was an American newspaper, first established by Horace Greeley in 1841, which was long considered one of the leading newspapers in the United States...
. He was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1855 and was New York Secretary of State from 1856 to 1857, elected on the American Party
Know Nothing
The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
ticket. He died in Newburgh, New York in 1897, having lived there for many years.