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Henry Clay: The Man Who Would Be President
Charismatic, charming, and one of the best orators of his era, Henry Clay seemed to have it all. He offered a comprehensive plan of change for America, and he directed national affairs as Speaker of the House, as Secretary of State to John Quincy Adams--the man he put in office--and as acknowledged leader of the Whig party. As the broker of the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, Henry Clay fought to keep a young nation united when westward expansion and slavery threatened to tear it apart. Yet, despite his talent and achievements, Henry Clay never became president. Three times he received Electoral College votes, twice more he sought his party's nomination, yet each time he was defeated. Alongside fellow senatorial greats Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, Clay was in the mix almost every moment from 1824 to 1848. Given his prominence, perhaps the years should be termed not the Jacksonian Era but rather the Age of Clay.
James C. Klotter uses new research and offers a more focused, nuanced explanation of Clay's programs and politics in order to answer to the question of why the man they called "The Great Rejected" never won the presidency but did win the accolades of history. Klotter's fresh outlook reveals that the best monument to Henry Clay is the fact that the United States remains one country, one nation, one example of a successful democracy, still working, still changing, still reflecting his spirit. The appeal of Henry Clay and his emphasis on compromise still resonate in a society seeking less partisanship and more efforts at conciliation.
James C. Klotter uses new research and offers a more focused, nuanced explanation of Clay's programs and politics in order to answer to the question of why the man they called "The Great Rejected" never won the presidency but did win the accolades of history. Klotter's fresh outlook reveals that the best monument to Henry Clay is the fact that the United States remains one country, one nation, one example of a successful democracy, still working, still changing, still reflecting his spirit. The appeal of Henry Clay and his emphasis on compromise still resonate in a society seeking less partisanship and more efforts at conciliation.
536 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2018
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189 people want to read
About the author
James C. Klotter
43 books3 followersJames C. Klotter is Professor of History at Georgetown College and State Historian of Kentucky.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 22, 2019
This is a political biography, and masterful at that. Biographical facts are really only 10% of this survey of the man who ran for President FIVE times. Yet, his real legacy is his contribution to several key issues before Congress between the Revolution and the Civil War. As noted by Klotter, this leads historians to regularly vote Clay the Number One Senator in US history.
This book almost reads like Robert A. Caro, as it analyzes the political and procedural maneuverings of the US Congress between 1820-1852, as well as chapters devoted to five presidential campaigns in detail: 1828, 1832, 1840, 1844, 1848. As Klotter also notes, Clay lived from one year after the Declaration of Independence and died 8 years before Civil War. That focus on Clay alone in this book is worthy of any American historical enthusiasts' attention.
This book almost reads like Robert A. Caro, as it analyzes the political and procedural maneuverings of the US Congress between 1820-1852, as well as chapters devoted to five presidential campaigns in detail: 1828, 1832, 1840, 1844, 1848. As Klotter also notes, Clay lived from one year after the Declaration of Independence and died 8 years before Civil War. That focus on Clay alone in this book is worthy of any American historical enthusiasts' attention.
September 18, 2018
This presents a very well-known figure in an entirely different light. It is not exactly a cradle to grave biography, though there are heaps of that kind of info, but more of a political biography, on a case-by-case basis of one of the best known American politicians to run for president and never succeed.
December 29, 2018
A personal hero, although also a flawed man. I admire his uncompromising desire to put the Union first, even though it cost him politically from all sides.
October 28, 2024
The Man Who Wouldn't Be King.
Klotter's 2018 bio of Congressman/Senator/Perennial Presidential Candidate is fascinating without being revealing. Throughout the course of Clay's life and Klotter's biography, the reader *almost* gets a sense of what drives Clay, again and again (5x total), to seek the Presidency. While "The Great Compromiser" was frequently at the center of political infighting for nearly 4 decades, the reader struggles to connect with the subject or his principles (beyond that of "compromise").
Clay comes across, above all else, is a consummate politician -- in both the best and worst ways. His glad-handing and backslapping personality, coupled with his remarkable ability to forge (and lose) alliances across a variety of coalitions on varied issues is nothing short of amazing. But that ability also fueled his ego and belief that *he* was meant for the Presidency -- notwithstanding the fact that it was his ability to compromise that so frequently upended his Presidential hopes as more "principled" candidates (or at least those candidates that didn't have so many varied positions on the record) were nominated/elected.
Clay's distrust/hatred for Andrew Jackson is readily apparent and despite Klotter's best efforts, the denials of Clay et al that there was a "corrupt bargain" to select Quincy Adams in exchange for Clay becoming Secretary of State fails to convince. While there has never been the smoking gun of a document describing the bargain, Klotter quotes other historians who acknowledge that Clay and Adams were both smart enough to not commit such a deal to paper. And everything Klotter presents about Clay and his skills as a dealmaker and politician makes it clear that the wink and nod were enough.
Throughout the bio, however, the reader doesn't get a great sense of why Clay so often thought he was the best choice for the Chief Executive. Klotter suggests it was because he didn't have enough people around him to talk him down or given him blunt assessments of his chances or regional electoral weaknesses and while that may be true, it's still speculative. So the reader is left knowing that Clay kept trying, kept losing, and kept trying again. There's a persistent lack of self-awareness that is hard to come to grips with for someone so obviously talented. That the record doesn't really document Clay's thought processes or self-assessments following each setback only adds to the frustration.
Clay's relationship with his children (particularly his sons, none of which could measure up to his success and several ended up institutionalized at times in the trying) is nothing short of tragic. Ultimately, Clay comes across like he was: a supremely intelligent, capable, and driven legislator/compromiser whose ego would not let him realize that his victories in one arena (the halls of Congress) did not/could not translate to victory on the national electoral stage.
Klotter's 2018 bio of Congressman/Senator/Perennial Presidential Candidate is fascinating without being revealing. Throughout the course of Clay's life and Klotter's biography, the reader *almost* gets a sense of what drives Clay, again and again (5x total), to seek the Presidency. While "The Great Compromiser" was frequently at the center of political infighting for nearly 4 decades, the reader struggles to connect with the subject or his principles (beyond that of "compromise").
Clay comes across, above all else, is a consummate politician -- in both the best and worst ways. His glad-handing and backslapping personality, coupled with his remarkable ability to forge (and lose) alliances across a variety of coalitions on varied issues is nothing short of amazing. But that ability also fueled his ego and belief that *he* was meant for the Presidency -- notwithstanding the fact that it was his ability to compromise that so frequently upended his Presidential hopes as more "principled" candidates (or at least those candidates that didn't have so many varied positions on the record) were nominated/elected.
Clay's distrust/hatred for Andrew Jackson is readily apparent and despite Klotter's best efforts, the denials of Clay et al that there was a "corrupt bargain" to select Quincy Adams in exchange for Clay becoming Secretary of State fails to convince. While there has never been the smoking gun of a document describing the bargain, Klotter quotes other historians who acknowledge that Clay and Adams were both smart enough to not commit such a deal to paper. And everything Klotter presents about Clay and his skills as a dealmaker and politician makes it clear that the wink and nod were enough.
Throughout the bio, however, the reader doesn't get a great sense of why Clay so often thought he was the best choice for the Chief Executive. Klotter suggests it was because he didn't have enough people around him to talk him down or given him blunt assessments of his chances or regional electoral weaknesses and while that may be true, it's still speculative. So the reader is left knowing that Clay kept trying, kept losing, and kept trying again. There's a persistent lack of self-awareness that is hard to come to grips with for someone so obviously talented. That the record doesn't really document Clay's thought processes or self-assessments following each setback only adds to the frustration.
Clay's relationship with his children (particularly his sons, none of which could measure up to his success and several ended up institutionalized at times in the trying) is nothing short of tragic. Ultimately, Clay comes across like he was: a supremely intelligent, capable, and driven legislator/compromiser whose ego would not let him realize that his victories in one arena (the halls of Congress) did not/could not translate to victory on the national electoral stage.
June 9, 2019
Jim Klotter's impressive and readable discussion of why one of the nation's most accomplished politicians never attained the presidency, and how our Republic might be different today if he had. A cautionary tale about the difficulties of trusting in the electorate to find the most capable leader.
October 18, 2019
In order to better understand America today, I've been reading a lot of American History of the period between Presidents Monroe and Lincoln. The similarities are striking; the differences illuminating: studying the America of nearly 200 years ago has helped me as I attempt to ford the swiftly-flowing (and quite dangerous) stream of modern Politics.
I've now read two books on Henry Clay: this one, and Henry Clay, the Essential American, by David and Jeanne Heidler. The latter is a true biography; this book is an analysis of who Henry Clay the Politician was, what he stood for, which causes he championed and which he opposed, and how it happened that he ran for President five times, but never won, despite his clear experience: Speaker of the House, Senator, Secretary of State, broker of two compromises which temporarily patched up the wounds left over from the debates over the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I give this only four stars because certain turns of phrase, certain usages, certain rhetorical questions and certain points kept cropping up... and cropping up... to the point of being more than merely annoying. I realize that in a book of nearly 400 pages (plus another almost 200 pages of notes, bibliography, etc.) it is inevitable that it will be required that "the Kentuckian" will show up a few times, but I lost count at 30 before I was even halfway through. It would have been preferable (and saved a few pages), I think, to have left it at "Clay". A more deft editorial hand would have been useful.
That aside, this is a very well-researched and well-developed book. The details about certain decisions, certain actions, that a general biography cannot cover, is the real strength of this book. The author set out to write a book that was rather critical of Henry Clay, and he has kept to this, by being quite blunt, at times, in pointing out Clay's mistakes and misjudgments, as well as his successes, both in his personal and his political life. Which makes this book all the more valuable: it rings truly and honestly. And it is also free, even-handed and balanced in its criticism or praise of other figures of the time: John C. Calhoun, Andrew Jackson, Daniel Webster, Martin Van Buren, et al. None of the major players of the era are left out, and many minor ones have their moment, as well. Many of them deserve praise *and* criticism, and they almost all get both.
The more I read of this period of American History, the more I become convinced that not only was Andrew Jackson possibly the worst President we've ever had (although Zachary Taylor is in the running) but we seem to be living in a second Age of Jackson today. People with no experience in governance are elected or appointed purely based on "spin", and the spoils system of political patronage is alive and well in the District of Columbia. That so many of these people are ardent "fans" of Andrew Jackson goes a long way to explaining why. And this book has done nothing to change my mind; in fact, it has strengthened that belief. I'm thankful for that, while also quite sad.
I've now read two books on Henry Clay: this one, and Henry Clay, the Essential American, by David and Jeanne Heidler. The latter is a true biography; this book is an analysis of who Henry Clay the Politician was, what he stood for, which causes he championed and which he opposed, and how it happened that he ran for President five times, but never won, despite his clear experience: Speaker of the House, Senator, Secretary of State, broker of two compromises which temporarily patched up the wounds left over from the debates over the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I give this only four stars because certain turns of phrase, certain usages, certain rhetorical questions and certain points kept cropping up... and cropping up... to the point of being more than merely annoying. I realize that in a book of nearly 400 pages (plus another almost 200 pages of notes, bibliography, etc.) it is inevitable that it will be required that "the Kentuckian" will show up a few times, but I lost count at 30 before I was even halfway through. It would have been preferable (and saved a few pages), I think, to have left it at "Clay". A more deft editorial hand would have been useful.
That aside, this is a very well-researched and well-developed book. The details about certain decisions, certain actions, that a general biography cannot cover, is the real strength of this book. The author set out to write a book that was rather critical of Henry Clay, and he has kept to this, by being quite blunt, at times, in pointing out Clay's mistakes and misjudgments, as well as his successes, both in his personal and his political life. Which makes this book all the more valuable: it rings truly and honestly. And it is also free, even-handed and balanced in its criticism or praise of other figures of the time: John C. Calhoun, Andrew Jackson, Daniel Webster, Martin Van Buren, et al. None of the major players of the era are left out, and many minor ones have their moment, as well. Many of them deserve praise *and* criticism, and they almost all get both.
The more I read of this period of American History, the more I become convinced that not only was Andrew Jackson possibly the worst President we've ever had (although Zachary Taylor is in the running) but we seem to be living in a second Age of Jackson today. People with no experience in governance are elected or appointed purely based on "spin", and the spoils system of political patronage is alive and well in the District of Columbia. That so many of these people are ardent "fans" of Andrew Jackson goes a long way to explaining why. And this book has done nothing to change my mind; in fact, it has strengthened that belief. I'm thankful for that, while also quite sad.
February 2, 2019
TL;DR - Well written, comprehensive look at Henry Clay that I'd easily recommend to those with interest in electoral history or 19th century US politics. Can get tiresome in spots where undue efforts are made to position Clay as a "good" slaveowner.
A sizable look at Henry Clay's presidential attempts. Klotter does a good job of interleaving Clay's legacy as a congressman and statesman with his approaches to his many failed bids for the presidency. Clay's rationale and conduct during his campaigns come across easily with Klotter's efforts to set the scene for each fight. These individual performances across his (roughly) five attempts are given their own post mortems without heavily leaning on the repetition of the common failings that dogged Clay throughout. The work also does a good job of capturing the highlights of the political crises of the early to mid 19th century. Plenty of great quotes/dunks in the work ("He shines and stinks like rotting mackerel by moonlight" will stick with me for a long time).
The time spent discussing Clay's estate and heirs felt a bit longer than needed, although I get the need to give a clear picture of Clay as candidate. It makes sense when this work has to balance being an exploration of presidential elections and Clay as a person, but it felt a little overlong and arced a bit too much towards general Kentucky history. A bigger qualm is the amount of dancing involved in the chapter dedicated to Clay's slave ownership. I'm a little tired of the song "people are complicated and are possessed by many contradictions!" that frequently plays in works of history, especially when considering issues that are open and shut by modern standards. It felt like a lot of time was dedicated to showing how on the fence Clay was as a slaveholder when it didn't change how he operated. The odd case of manumission doesn't really move the meter, neither does forgoing an engagement with interstate slave trade. It was a slog to get through the chapter, and I suggest more of a skim through it rather than a close read if you find yourself grinding through it.
A sizable look at Henry Clay's presidential attempts. Klotter does a good job of interleaving Clay's legacy as a congressman and statesman with his approaches to his many failed bids for the presidency. Clay's rationale and conduct during his campaigns come across easily with Klotter's efforts to set the scene for each fight. These individual performances across his (roughly) five attempts are given their own post mortems without heavily leaning on the repetition of the common failings that dogged Clay throughout. The work also does a good job of capturing the highlights of the political crises of the early to mid 19th century. Plenty of great quotes/dunks in the work ("He shines and stinks like rotting mackerel by moonlight" will stick with me for a long time).
The time spent discussing Clay's estate and heirs felt a bit longer than needed, although I get the need to give a clear picture of Clay as candidate. It makes sense when this work has to balance being an exploration of presidential elections and Clay as a person, but it felt a little overlong and arced a bit too much towards general Kentucky history. A bigger qualm is the amount of dancing involved in the chapter dedicated to Clay's slave ownership. I'm a little tired of the song "people are complicated and are possessed by many contradictions!" that frequently plays in works of history, especially when considering issues that are open and shut by modern standards. It felt like a lot of time was dedicated to showing how on the fence Clay was as a slaveholder when it didn't change how he operated. The odd case of manumission doesn't really move the meter, neither does forgoing an engagement with interstate slave trade. It was a slog to get through the chapter, and I suggest more of a skim through it rather than a close read if you find yourself grinding through it.
December 10, 2022
A political biography that is supportive and appreciative of the figure, though not un-critical, this history of Henry Clay, and particularly his presidential runs (and near runs) is an interesting and enjoyable read on a figure of intense importance in pre-Civil War 19th century American history.
I definitely enjoyed this book and found its positives outshining its flaws, but its flaws were still present. The author seems quite uncritical of Clay's economic program, essentially asserting that those who opposed protectionism were 'merely selfish' and whatever reasons they gave for it were largely just excuses for their selfishness. While conceding that certain elements of society would bear the burdens of the policy, he seems to uncritically accept Clay's assertion that 'these costs were worth it because it made the American economy overall more prosperous' without even gesturing at the fact that economics and economic history do not seem to back up this analysis of protectionism. The closest he comes is a throw-away comment that 'experts disagree' which, while true, is hardly a fair analysis of the literature.
Also, he sometimes makes political assertions that he not only fails to back up, but, at least to my mind, seem impossible to back up. He often says things such as "Clay's stance on X cost him votes here, but earned him just as many votes elsewhere" without a shred of documentation. How could this be validated... there were no opinion polls in that era.
Still while these factors caused me to roll my eyes on more than one occasion, I found the book very worthwhile overall, and am glad I chose it.
I definitely enjoyed this book and found its positives outshining its flaws, but its flaws were still present. The author seems quite uncritical of Clay's economic program, essentially asserting that those who opposed protectionism were 'merely selfish' and whatever reasons they gave for it were largely just excuses for their selfishness. While conceding that certain elements of society would bear the burdens of the policy, he seems to uncritically accept Clay's assertion that 'these costs were worth it because it made the American economy overall more prosperous' without even gesturing at the fact that economics and economic history do not seem to back up this analysis of protectionism. The closest he comes is a throw-away comment that 'experts disagree' which, while true, is hardly a fair analysis of the literature.
Also, he sometimes makes political assertions that he not only fails to back up, but, at least to my mind, seem impossible to back up. He often says things such as "Clay's stance on X cost him votes here, but earned him just as many votes elsewhere" without a shred of documentation. How could this be validated... there were no opinion polls in that era.
Still while these factors caused me to roll my eyes on more than one occasion, I found the book very worthwhile overall, and am glad I chose it.
October 16, 2022
Henry Clay: The Man Who Would be President
James Klotter
I really enjoyed this book, mostly because I learned a lot.
Be forewarned; that is because I am a history buff and appreciated what many may consider minutiae.
I learned why Henry Clay is considered a master statesman and the model for so many in government service, although very few live up to his standards.
I did not previously know he had been a repeatedly failed candidate for president. He failed mostly because he was outspoken about what he believed in. That is how you gain enemies.
I cannot imagine how he remained dedicated to public service while he endured so much in his personal life. He lost seven of his many children, and others had psychological issues.
He was not perfect; most notable is the fact he appeared to be an abolitionist while continuing to own slaves.
Definitely worth the read if you are very interested in the life and times of Henry Clay. As lengthy as the book was, it inspired me to look for even more info regarding him.
James Klotter
I really enjoyed this book, mostly because I learned a lot.
Be forewarned; that is because I am a history buff and appreciated what many may consider minutiae.
I learned why Henry Clay is considered a master statesman and the model for so many in government service, although very few live up to his standards.
I did not previously know he had been a repeatedly failed candidate for president. He failed mostly because he was outspoken about what he believed in. That is how you gain enemies.
I cannot imagine how he remained dedicated to public service while he endured so much in his personal life. He lost seven of his many children, and others had psychological issues.
He was not perfect; most notable is the fact he appeared to be an abolitionist while continuing to own slaves.
Definitely worth the read if you are very interested in the life and times of Henry Clay. As lengthy as the book was, it inspired me to look for even more info regarding him.
November 15, 2020
I am glad I listened to this book. As I’ve been taking a tour through American history via presidential biographies I got very curious about Henry Clay. He appeared to be the man that everybody loved to hate and he appeared to wield a lot of power from the senate. The author of this book is very pro-Clay, but that seems to be completely normal in biographies. So, I expected that. Still, the book explained so much of why people loved and hated this man in equal measures. He seems to me to be one of the only politicians that I’ve read about thus far that actually did his job. And, for that he made everybody angry. He’s kind of a cautionary tale for those that want to stay in power in government and a lesson for those of us who want people to go to DC and actually get some work done. Interesting food for thought here.
October 9, 2018
Few Americans in history had more impact on events than Henry Clay did. From his first speech in favor of Kentucky's constitution in 1799 until his death in 1852, Clay's public career was dramatic, outspoken, principled and often courageous. It was also full of disappointment. Although he was variously a member of the Kentucky legislature, Congressman, Speaker of the House, Secretary of State and a U.S. Senator for nearly 50 years, his one great dream was to be president. He ran five times never fulfilled that goal. He watched as obscure men with little track records in politics rose to the the highest office while he was stymied in his quest. Klotter explores not only the events up to 1852 but the reasons why Clay never was president and yet is still worth remembering.
May 25, 2023
This was an amazing historical account of Henry Clay’s political life. I learn so much about the man and his ability to make compromises. He was full of contradictions, and this is partly the reason for his perpetual defeats when running for president. There so many more factors and intricacies to his defeats that it makes for excellent reading. In modern times, he might be labeled as a political flip-flop, but I think that his desire to preserve the Union was his impetus for striking compromises between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. Nothing is black and white. Henry Clay’s life is no exception.
November 27, 2018
More a political history of the United States through the lens of one of its transcendent figures than a biography, this is well-researched and informed account of the many turmoils of the post-revolutionary era that ultimately led to the Civil War. At times it was a bit too dense and not exactly an enjoyable book to read, but one that speaks to a time that has many parallels with our own.
May 7, 2022
This is my first biography that I read about Henry Clay, and I felt that the author did an excellent job of providing a well researched account of Clay's prominence and role in U.S. history. Klotter does an excellent job of writing a strong, academic work, but one that anyone could read and follow quite easily. This book portrays Clay and the challenges of his time well.
February 28, 2023
I am glad I took this suggestion to read as I am going through the presidential biographies. Not only an engaging biography of an interesting man, but incredibly helpful in contextualizing the governmental policies coming off the Founding Fathers and leading to the Civil War.
Also Andrew Jackson needs to chill.
Also Andrew Jackson needs to chill.
April 3, 2025
I did not know Henry Clay had run for president 4 times. Reading about his life and the times he lived in gave me comfort. We have elected lesser qualified presidents before. We have come through civil war. Henry Clay was a great politician and a great man. Glad to know more about a great Kentuckian.
February 17, 2020
Excellent! Very well written.
May 23, 2025
Interesting stuff!!
March 13, 2024
A relatively dull account of an interesting man...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews