Rufus King

Rufus King graduated from Harvard in 1777, went to war, studied law and embarked on a career in politics and diplomacy. He was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1787, and then served as a delegate to the federal Constitutional Convention. He moved to New York City in 1788 and was elected to the state Assembly, then to the U.S. Senate, where he served from 1789 to 1796. He resigned his Senate seat to become U.S. Minister to Great Britain, serving until 1803. Thereafter, he alternated unsuccessful runs as the Federalist candidate for Vice-President, Governor of New York and President with successful candidacies for the U.S. Senate. He died in 1827, after one last stint as U.S. Minister to Great Britain.

[credit: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]