Mirabeau B. Lamar

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar ( * August 16, 1798 in Louisville, Georgia, † December 19, 1859 in Richmond, Texas ) was an American politician, ambassador and President of the Republic of Texas.

Life

Lamar was born in 1798 in Jefferson County, Georgia. As secretary of Governor George Troup he gained his first experience in politics. He participated in the Battle of San Jacinto and was defense minister of the interim government of Texas. In 1836 he became the vice-president, elected in 1838 as President of the Republic of Texas, a post which he held until December 1841. He succeeded to achieve the recognition of Texas ' by some European countries and to improve the educational system. His financial policy was less successful, and almost led to bankruptcy. Also, the efforts made during his tenure attempt, by means of which he initiated Texan Santa Fe expedition to annex a part of Mexico was not a success.

After his tenure, he took part in the Mexican-American War and was from 1858 to 1859 American Minister Resident in Nicaragua. He died on December 19, 1859 on his plantation near Richmond from a heart attack. His grave is located in the Masonic Cemetery in Richmond. The Lamar County, the City of Lamar, the Lamar Hotel and Lamar University in Beaumont were named after him.