Cassius Marcellus Clay
Cassius Marcellus Clay | |
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Portrait c. 1860 | |
| United States Ambassador to Russia | |
| In office May 7, 1863 – October 1, 1869 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | Simon Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Gregg Curtin |
| In office July 14, 1861 – June 25, 1862 | |
| President | Abraham Lincoln |
| Preceded by | John Appleton |
| Succeeded by | Simon Cameron |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Madison County | |
| In office 1835–1841 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1810 Madison County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1903 (aged 92) Madison County, Kentucky, U.S. |
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| Children | 11, including Mary, Brutus, and Laura |
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| Known for | Abolitionist activism |
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| Rank | Major general |
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Cassius Marcellus Clay (October 9, 1810 – July 22, 1903) was an American planter, politician, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869.
Born in Kentucky to a wealthy planter family, Clay entered politics during the 1830s and grew to support the abolitionist cause in the U.S., drawing ire from fellow Southerners. A founding member of the Republican Party in Kentucky, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as the U.S. minister to Russia. Clay is credited with influencing Russian support for the Union during the American Civil War.