Henry Clay: The Man Who Would Be President by James Klotter

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, 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 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.

• First full, focused study of Clay’s five runs for the presidency
• Studies Clay’s views on slavery and how they affected his career
• Previously unused sources emphasize the influence of Kentucky on Clay’s career in new depth
• Offers eye-opening lessons for modern-day political leaders and the voters who elect them

Hardcover, 510 pages