Edwin McMasters Stanton (December 19, 1814 - December 24, 1869), born in Steubenville, Ohio, was an American political figure, who had the task of administering the War Department of the American goverment throught the American Civil War and in the Reconstruction era. He had the responsibility of handling thousands of men and millions of dollars, at a time when the very existence of the country depended on military strength.
He was the eldest of the four children of David and Luvy (Norman) Stanton. His father was a physician of Quaker stock. Stanton began his political life as a lawyer in Ohio and an antislavery Democrat. After graduating from Kenyon College in 1833, he was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1836, where he practised law in Steubenbille until 1847.When he moved to Pittsburg Pa.
In 1856 Stanton moved to Washington D.C. where he had a large practice before the Supreme Court. In 1860 he was appointed as United States Attorney General by President James Buchanan.
He was violently opposed to Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and referred to him as the "original gorilla." He retired from office at the end of Buchanan's term. After Lincoln was elected President, Stanton agreed to work as a legal adviser to the inefficient Secretary of War Simon Cameron, who he replaced in 1862. He accepted the position only to "to help save the country." The president recognised Stanton's ability but whenever necessary Lincoln managed to "plow around him." When pressure was exerted to remove the unpopular secretary from office, Lincoln replied,"If you will find another secretary of war like him, I will gladly appoint him." During this period Stanton's opinion of Lincoln changed. At Lincoln's death Stanton said "there lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen."
He continued to hold the position of secretary of war under President Andrew Johnson until 1868. His reltions with the president were not good and Johnson attempted to remove Stanton from the Cabinet, in violation of the Tenure of Office Act. This was the primary count for which Johnson was impeached. After this Stantnon resigned and returned to the practise of law. The next year he was appointed by President Grant to the United States Supreme Court, but he died four days after the appointment was made.
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|- style="text-align: center;"
| width="30%" |Preceded by:
Simon Cameron
| width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |United States Secretary of War
1862–1868
| width="30%" |Succeeded by:
John M. Schofield
