William Seward was born on May 16, 1801, in Florida, New York. He was the fourth child of a wealthy landowner and his wife. Seward attended school in Florida before enrolling at Union College in 1816. He graduated with a law degree in 1820, and soon after, he began practicing law in Auburn, New York.
Seward's political career began in the early 1830s when he was elected to the New York State Senate. He quickly rose through the ranks and was elected Governor of New York in 1838. As Governor, Seward was known for his progressive views on education and prison reform.
In 1849, Seward was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he became a leading figure in the anti-slavery movement. He was a close ally of President Abraham Lincoln and played a key role in the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1861, Lincoln appointed Seward as Secretary of State.
One of Seward's most noteworthy accomplishments as Secretary of State was the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. The purchase, known as "Seward's Folly" at the time, was heavily criticized in the press. However, Seward believed that Alaska's vast resources and strategic location made it a valuable acquisition for the United States.
On the night of April 14, 1865, the same night that President Lincoln was assassinated, Seward was the target of an assassination attempt. A co-conspirator of John Wilkes Booth entered Seward's home and attempted to kill him. Seward was seriously injured but ultimately survived the attack.
After leaving office in 1869, Seward retired from politics and focused on writing and travel. He passed away on October 10, 1872, at the age of 71. Seward's legacy as a statesman and advocate for freedom and equality lives on to this day.