(1799-1889) A Pennsylvania lawyer, he entered politics, served in the U.S. Senate, and joined the new Republican party. While in the Senate in 1857 he built up the party machine in Pa. that he controlled the rest of his life. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln received his powerful support for president only after Lincoln's managers had promised Cameron a cabinet post, and the President, reluctantly recognizing the bargain made without his knowledge, appointed him Secretary of War. Taking an independent course, he repeatedly embarrassed Lincoln, and the scandals and corruption emanating from army contracts and military appointments brought a censure from the House of Representatives. Lincoln, meanwhile, appointed him Minister to Russia in 1862. Re-elected to the Senate in 1867, he served for 10 more years.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. 3/4 seated view. Backmark: E. Anthony, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Uncommon. Excellent.