Henry Clay

 

Henry Clay, born in Virginia, grew up in a large family and went on to work as a lawyer and a Kentucky senator before he became speaker of the house and later secretary of state under John Quincy Adams. He is known for his participation in a group called the War Hawks who pushed Madison to declare war on Britain in the year 1812. He was also the man behind the American System and played a crucial role in the development of the Missouri Compromise.