John Sherman

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John Sherman (May 10, 1823 – October 22, 1900) was a prominent American politician from Ohio during the late 19th century. He served in both houses of the United States Congress and was a key figure in the Republican Party. Sherman is best known for authoring the Sherman Antitrust Act, a landmark federal statute in the field of competition law.

Early Life and Education

John Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio, to Charles Robert Sherman and Mary Hoyt Sherman. He was the younger brother of William Tecumseh Sherman, a famous Union Army general during the American Civil War. John Sherman attended local schools and briefly studied at Ohio University before pursuing a career in law.

Political Career

U.S. House of Representatives

Sherman began his political career as a member of the Whig Party and was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1854. He served in the House until 1861, when he was elected to the United States Senate.

U.S. Senate

Sherman served multiple terms in the Senate, from 1861 to 1877 and again from 1881 to 1897. During his tenure, he was a strong advocate for fiscal conservatism and played a significant role in shaping the nation's economic policies. He was instrumental in the passage of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Secretary of the Treasury

In 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Sherman as the United States Secretary of the Treasury. During his tenure, Sherman worked to stabilize the nation's finances and was a proponent of the gold standard.

Secretary of State

Sherman also served as the United States Secretary of State under President William McKinley from 1897 to 1898. His tenure was marked by the lead-up to the Spanish-American War, although he resigned before the war began.

Legacy

John Sherman's legacy is most closely associated with the Sherman Antitrust Act, which laid the foundation for modern antitrust law in the United States. The act aimed to prevent monopolistic practices and promote fair competition, and it remains a cornerstone of American economic policy.

Related Pages

• Sherman Antitrust Act
• Sherman Silver Purchase Act
• William Tecumseh Sherman
• Rutherford B. Hayes
• William McKinley
• United States Senate
• United States House of Representatives
• United States Secretary of the Treasury
• United States Secretary of State