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Cassius Marcellus Clay: Firebrand of freedom
A biography of an outspoken Kentuckian who distinguised himself as a soldier, statesman, and an abolitionist.
153 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 30, 2011
It is impressive that someone raised as a scion of slave-holding Kentucky would emancipate his own slaves and become an outspoken critic of the peculiar institution, despite the physical -- not to mention social -- risk. Such was Cassius Clay (not the boxer, who was named after his father, who was named after the original) who comes across as a larger-than-life Western figure, complete with tall tales of violence and heroism.
"He mounted the dais and faced the hostile crowd. 'For those who obey the rules of right, and the sacred truths of the Christian religion,' he would say, as he held a Bible aloft, 'I appeal to this book' -- and he would place it on the speaker's table. 'To those who respect the laws of the country,' he would announce, taking a copy of the Constitution out of his bag, 'this is my authority' -- and so saying, set the book down by the Bible. 'But to those who recognize only the law of force --' (here he would bring forth two long-barrelled pistols, thumping them down on the table in front of him, and draw his bowie knife, which he held so that the blade caught the light before he dropped it casually on his brace of pistols) 'for those -- here is my defense!'"
As a native of Alaska, I have a particular reason to like Clay. He was minister to Russia when the sale was negotiated:
"Near the end of his life Clay summarized some of these points in a controversial speech at Berea College in which he stated that he wanted only one word with his name on his tombstone: 'ALASKA.'
"He mounted the dais and faced the hostile crowd. 'For those who obey the rules of right, and the sacred truths of the Christian religion,' he would say, as he held a Bible aloft, 'I appeal to this book' -- and he would place it on the speaker's table. 'To those who respect the laws of the country,' he would announce, taking a copy of the Constitution out of his bag, 'this is my authority' -- and so saying, set the book down by the Bible. 'But to those who recognize only the law of force --' (here he would bring forth two long-barrelled pistols, thumping them down on the table in front of him, and draw his bowie knife, which he held so that the blade caught the light before he dropped it casually on his brace of pistols) 'for those -- here is my defense!'"
As a native of Alaska, I have a particular reason to like Clay. He was minister to Russia when the sale was negotiated:
"Near the end of his life Clay summarized some of these points in a controversial speech at Berea College in which he stated that he wanted only one word with his name on his tombstone: 'ALASKA.'
October 1, 2022
Recently, a family friend suggested that my knowledge of the American Civil War was incomplete if I didn’t know the effect the Russian Navy fleet had on the decisions of England and France to honor the Union’s blockade of the Confederacy which led me to this biography of Cassius Marcellus Clay who happened to serve as Abraham Lincoln’s Ambassador to Russia. Clay, indeed, played a minor role in the Czar’s decision to deploy his ships to New York and San Francisco in 1863 although his biographer claims Clay’s role was instrumental. Despite this inflated and apologetic view of Clay that was consistent throughout the book, I found the man quite admirable - a man’s man of the time who was quick to defend his honor, a wealthy man who supported worthy causes (Berea College), an abolitionist southerner, a politician, a diplomat, a philanderer, and a patriot - and perhaps “hero worship” could be justified. My friend correctly pointed out that knowing Clay’s story and the Russian impact both are a requirement for any Civil War enthusiast and this short biography is an excellent vehicle to fill that void.
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April 25, 2010This is a short biography of the "Lion of White Hall". Cassius Clay was a notable Kentucky emancipationist who had the inclination of expressing his opinions with the point of a Bowie knife; or perhaps occasionally with a dueling pistol.
July 16, 2021
Biography of Cassius Marcellus Clay (probably better known today as the man who Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali was named after). He has to rank up there among U.S. public figures who led remarkable lives during transitional periods, and also among those with no shortage of physical and moral courage.
Clay was a Kentuckian from a slave-owning family who became an abolitionist, but one who also shifted between views on balancing the need for abolition with the need to preserve the union - he was a prominent member of the Whig, then the Republican, and much later in life, the Democrat party.
Cavalry officer in the Mexican-American War, was captured, credited with negotiating the release of his men, and welcomed home by Lincoln's father-in-law. Cousin of Henry Clay, he found himself both aligned with and confrontational to Clay at various times.
As an abolitionist and newspaper publisher, Clay was threatened with violence, and he carried a Bowie knife and pistols (using both to kill men who attacked him), and mounted cannons at his newspaper and later at his home. He also donated land for Berea College - an abolitionist institution.
Lincoln was in the audience when Clay spoke at Springfield, and they later both spoke at Cooper Union in NY. Clay was considered a potential VP candidate for Lincoln, but had made enemies, and took the job as ambassador to Russia, where he helped keep Russia on the Union side, and apparently assisted with the sale of Alaska to the U.S. (supposedly because Russia did not want the Brits to have it). He also may have played a role in encouraging, and convincing, Lincoln to issue the Emancipation, and Lincoln asked him to go back to KY and offer an assessment of the impact of the Emancipation on KY in the Civil War.
Remarkable breadth of lifespan and experiences - surprised that I had not heard about him until recently when the WSJ ran an article, prompting me to get the book.
Clay was a Kentuckian from a slave-owning family who became an abolitionist, but one who also shifted between views on balancing the need for abolition with the need to preserve the union - he was a prominent member of the Whig, then the Republican, and much later in life, the Democrat party.
Cavalry officer in the Mexican-American War, was captured, credited with negotiating the release of his men, and welcomed home by Lincoln's father-in-law. Cousin of Henry Clay, he found himself both aligned with and confrontational to Clay at various times.
As an abolitionist and newspaper publisher, Clay was threatened with violence, and he carried a Bowie knife and pistols (using both to kill men who attacked him), and mounted cannons at his newspaper and later at his home. He also donated land for Berea College - an abolitionist institution.
Lincoln was in the audience when Clay spoke at Springfield, and they later both spoke at Cooper Union in NY. Clay was considered a potential VP candidate for Lincoln, but had made enemies, and took the job as ambassador to Russia, where he helped keep Russia on the Union side, and apparently assisted with the sale of Alaska to the U.S. (supposedly because Russia did not want the Brits to have it). He also may have played a role in encouraging, and convincing, Lincoln to issue the Emancipation, and Lincoln asked him to go back to KY and offer an assessment of the impact of the Emancipation on KY in the Civil War.
Remarkable breadth of lifespan and experiences - surprised that I had not heard about him until recently when the WSJ ran an article, prompting me to get the book.
April 25, 2020
I received this book as a gift from the son of the author. The author, now deceased, was a professor of English at the University of Louisville. His son has become a good friend over the past decade and seeing my love for a good book and especially for biographies, he gave me a copy and I am very glad he did.
This Cassius Clay was a white man in Kentucky who lived before, during and after the Civil War. He played an important role in the War Between the States as ambassador to Russia. That and much more in this book is unknown history to most Americans, as it was to me before I read this book. To be honest, I wondered if the author wasn't inflating things a bit so I did some personal research and was shocked (and relieved) to find that the book was not only accurate but may have undersold the importance of these events.
If Russia had entered the war and taken sides with the south, our history would be completely CHANGED. And Cassius Clay served the United States (north) government well.
There is much more to the story, but that is a highlight (without spoilers). Clay had some "crazy" in him in his later years that also spiced up his biography a good bit. If you can get a copy of this rare gem, and you love American history and/or a good biography, I highly recommend it.
This Cassius Clay was a white man in Kentucky who lived before, during and after the Civil War. He played an important role in the War Between the States as ambassador to Russia. That and much more in this book is unknown history to most Americans, as it was to me before I read this book. To be honest, I wondered if the author wasn't inflating things a bit so I did some personal research and was shocked (and relieved) to find that the book was not only accurate but may have undersold the importance of these events.
If Russia had entered the war and taken sides with the south, our history would be completely CHANGED. And Cassius Clay served the United States (north) government well.
There is much more to the story, but that is a highlight (without spoilers). Clay had some "crazy" in him in his later years that also spiced up his biography a good bit. If you can get a copy of this rare gem, and you love American history and/or a good biography, I highly recommend it.
February 15, 2021
In my family history research, I came across a 4th-great-uncle, Cassius Clay Easton, b. 1845. This uncle could not be named after the famous boxer (b. 1942) and I was curious about the namesake who must have inspired at least two families to name their sons after him. I dug around a bit and found this book. Along with being a staunch abolitionist and member of President Lincoln's cabinet, Clay was infamous for some of his fights with a Bowie knife.
I enjoyed learning more about history and politics, but the author does address some of the more unsavory facets of Cassius Clay. The author was an acquaintance of some of Clay's ancestors and includes some more personal perspectives. Clay spent so much time helping to shape politics and government, including years in Russia, that his family life suffered a great deal, and his later years involved some scandals.
It's a fairly fast-paced read for a history book, but there were some terms that seem like they must have been high-minded or old-fashioned even in the '70s. I didn't enjoy the later chapters on the scandals as much, but I really enjoyed reading about Clay's passion for freeing slaves and freedom of speech. It is easy to see why a contemporary would think so highly of him as to name a son after him. It surprises me that this historical figure was not discussed in classes when I was growing up.
I enjoyed learning more about history and politics, but the author does address some of the more unsavory facets of Cassius Clay. The author was an acquaintance of some of Clay's ancestors and includes some more personal perspectives. Clay spent so much time helping to shape politics and government, including years in Russia, that his family life suffered a great deal, and his later years involved some scandals.
It's a fairly fast-paced read for a history book, but there were some terms that seem like they must have been high-minded or old-fashioned even in the '70s. I didn't enjoy the later chapters on the scandals as much, but I really enjoyed reading about Clay's passion for freeing slaves and freedom of speech. It is easy to see why a contemporary would think so highly of him as to name a son after him. It surprises me that this historical figure was not discussed in classes when I was growing up.
April 30, 2022
Born and raised in Madison County, Kentucky, and an alumnus of White Hall Elementary - as a student and later, a teacher, I’ve always been interested in the story of Kentucky’s OTHER Clay. Having toured the home many times, I knew the very basic outline of Cassius Clay. But this book had me enthralled as if his life had been a novel! He was so much more than the turbulent abolitionist I had been introduced to! A GREAT read if you have any interest in The Civil War, Kentucky history, and/or Abraham Lincoln. I am sure I’ll read it again even!
February 6, 2024
Great intro to Clay. I wish it went into more detail.
December 2, 2025
WOW! I hope at least half of this is true. Netflix should make a series out of this. Clay was a wild man who stuck to his own (unpopular) principles.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews