Abel Parker Upshur (June 17, 1790 – February 28, 1844) was an American lawyer, judge and politician from Virginia. Upshur was active in Virginia state politics and later served as Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of State during the Whig administration of President John Tyler. Upshur was instrumental in negotiating the secret treaty that led to the annexation of Texas to the United States and played a key role in ensuring that Texas was admitt...
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Abel Parker Upshur (June 17, 1790 – February 28, 1844) was an American lawyer, judge and politician from Virginia. Upshur was active in Virginia state politics and later served as Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of State during the Whig administration of President John Tyler. Upshur was instrumental in negotiating the secret treaty that led to the annexation of Texas to the United States and played a key role in ensuring that Texas was admitted to the United States as a slave state. He was among several people killed when a gun exploded during an official function on board the steam warship USS Princeton.
Upshur was born in the town of Pungoteague in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and attended Yale University and Princeton University. He studied law in Virginia and was admitted to the bar in 1810.
After spending time in Baltimore, Maryland, Upshur developed a thriving law practice in Richmond, Virginia, and was an active participant in state politics. He was...
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