William Hayden English

William Hayden English
Born	(1822-08-27)August 27, 1822 Lexington, Indiana, U.S.
Died	February 7, 1896(1896-02-07) (aged 73) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	Vice Presidential candidate

William Hayden English (August 27, 1822 – February 7, 1896) was an American politician and businessman from the state of Indiana. He is best known for being the Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 1880 United States presidential election.

Early life and education

William H. English was born in Lexington, Indiana, and was educated at Hanover College. He later studied law and was admitted to the Indiana bar, beginning his practice in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Political career

English began his political career in the Indiana House of Representatives, where he served from 1851 to 1852. He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1852, serving until 1861. During his tenure, he was known for his moderate stance on the issues of slavery and states' rights, which were highly contentious topics leading up to the American Civil War.

After his time in Congress, English focused on his business ventures, which included banking and railroads. However, he returned to the political spotlight in 1880 when he was selected as the running mate of Winfield Scott Hancock in the presidential election. The Hancock-English ticket was narrowly defeated by James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.

Later life and death

After the 1880 election, English continued his business pursuits and became a prominent banker in Indianapolis. He passed away in 1896 and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Legacy

English's political career, especially his vice presidential candidacy, has been noted for its impact on the Democratic Party's strategies during a critical period in American political history. He is remembered in Indiana for his contributions to both the state's political and economic development.

See also

• 1880 United States presidential election
• Democratic Party