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Benjamin Douglas Silliman papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.382

Biographical / Historical note

Benjamin Douglas Silliman was born in Newport, Rhode Island on September 11, 1805. He attended Yale University, graduating in 1824. He then studied law in New York City in the office of Chancellor Kent and his son William Kent. He was admitted to the bar in 1829 and opened a very successful law office in New York City. During his long career as a lawyer he represented his clients, including many large corporations, before state and federal courts and the United States Supreme Court. A member of the Whig Party, Silliman was elected in 1838 to the New York State Assembly and in 1839 he served as a delegate to the Whig national convention that nominated William Henry Harrison for President of the United States. He ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress in 1843, but was defeated. When the Whigs evolved into the Republican Party, Silliman became a loyal member of that party and in 1865 President Abraham Lincoln appointed him to the office of U.S. District Attorney for the Eastern District of New York State. As such he was involved in several legal issues following the Civil War. In 1872 he took an active part in the commission that was revising the State constitution. In 1873 he ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate for the office of Attorney-General of New York State and in 1876 was a member of the Republication national convention that nominated Rutherford B. Hayes for President of the United States. Silliman was active in many civic and philanthropical organizations. He died at his home in Brooklyn, NY on January 24, 1901.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 80 letters to Benjamin Douglas Silliman and 11 letters from him. His correspondents include William Henry Seward, Hamilton Fish, Preston King, Peter Cooper, and others involved in New York Sate politics. In the letters to and from Seward, they discuss the influence of the Irish vote in the 1840 election.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1830-1890

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The Benjamin Douglas Silliman Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired through the generosity of multiple endowments, 2008; 2019.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Benjamin Douglas Silliman Papers, D.382, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Benjamin Douglas Silliman papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA