Robert Moffett Palmer

Robert Moffett Palmer (December 14, 1820 – April 26, 1862) was an American diplomat.

For the musician, see Robert Moffat Palmer.
Ambassador
Robert Moffett Palmer
United States Ambassador to Argentina
In office
1861–1862
Preceded byJohn F. Cushman
Succeeded byRobert C. Kirk
Pennsylvania State Senator
In office
1857–1861
Personal details
Born(1820-12-14)December 14, 1820
Mount Holly, New Jersey
DiedApril 26, 1862(1862-04-26) (aged 41)
Atlantic Ocean
Political partyRepublican
SpouseIsabelle Seitzinger
Children6

Biography

Palmer was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey on December 14, 1820 to a family of judges and politicians.[1] At age 9 his father moved the family to Pottsville, Pennsylvania and Palmer began learning the trade of printing.[2][3][4] He would eventually become editor of the Pottsville Emporium, a local paper, and later marry Isabelle Seitzinger in 1840. In 1845 he would join the bar before going on to be appointed District Attorney of Schuylkill County in 1850.[5]

Palmer would act as a Republican delegate for Pennsylvania to the Republican National Convention in both 1856 and 1860.[3]

Palmer would take a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1859 as a Republican.[2] He would eventually becoming Speaker of the Senate in 1860 and get reelected in 1861.[1][5][6]

While serving as the Speaker, Palmer would be selected by President Lincoln to serve as the United States' Minister Resident to the Argentine Confederation.[2][7] He would represent the United States to Argentina from 1861 to April 12, 1862.[4][8][9] On February 25, 1862, he would move the U.S. legation from Parana back to Buenos Aires, following the reunification of the country.[10]

Palmer died on April 26, 1862, off the coast of Brazil, aboard a ship that was returning to the United States from Argentina. His body was buried at sea in the Atlantic Ocean.[3][11] He died leaving a widow and 6 children.[2][5]

References
  1. Fischer, Kirsten (2020-11-20). American Freethinker: Elihu Palmer and the Struggle for Religious Freedom in the New Nation. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-9782-9.
  2. Wiley, Samuel T.; Ruoff, Henry W. (Henry Woldmar) (1893). Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Schuylkill County Pennsylvania : comprising a historical sketch of the county. Cornell University Library. Philadelphia : Rush, West.
  3. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Palmer". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  4. Drees, Charles William (1922). Americans in Argentina: A Record of Past & Present Activities of Americans in Argentina, Rodney to Riddle. Coni Press.
  5. "Robert Moffett Palmer". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  6. Carman, Harry James; Luthin, Reinhard Henry (1964). Lincoln and the Patronage. P. Smith. ISBN 978-0-8446-1101-3.
  7. Year Book. Association of the Bar of the City of New York. 1912.
  8. "Robert M. Palmer - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  9. Relations Between the United States and Argentina. United States Department of State. 1948.
  10. "Argentina - Chiefs of Mission - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  11. "Obituary". The New York Times. 1862-06-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-25.


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