American statesman, born in New York City on the 3rd of August 1808. In 1827 he was graduated at Columbia, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. In 1842 he was elected to Congress as a Whig, serving until 1845. In 1847–48 Mr. Fish was lieutenant-governor, and from 1849 to 1851 governor, of the state of New York. In 1851 he was elected United States Senator. After 1857 he spent several years in Europe, and in 1869 was appointed United States minister to France. Under the administration of President Grant, Governor Fish was appointed Secretary of State, which office he filled for two terms with signal ability, settling several foreign disputes to this country’s advantage, among them the famous Alabama claims, and the Virginius question with Spain. He died in Garrison, NY, on the 7th of September 1893.
