Amos Kendall - Books

Journalist and public official, born in Dunstable, Massachusetts, USA. A Dartmouth graduate, he became editor of The Argus of Western America (1816–28) in Frankfort, KY, championing Andrew Jackson, whom he followed to Washington. As treasury auditor (1828–34) and postmaster-general (1834–40), he rooted out corruption, and as an intimate friend and adviser he wrote many of Jackson's speeches. He returned to journalism and farming and then became rich as inventor Samuel F B Morse's business agent (1845–59). He devoted his final decade to church and philanthropic projects including the school for deaf-mutes in Washington, DC (now Gallaudet College).

Amos Kendall (born August 16, 1789 in Dunstable, Massachusetts, died November 12, 1869 in Washington, DC) was an American politician who served as U.S. Postmaster General under Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.

Kendall completed his secondary studies at Lawrence Academy at Groton, class of 1807, and his collegiate studies at Dartmouth College. Prior to becoming Postmaster General, Kendall was editor of both the Argus of Western America, the organ of Kentucky progressivism, and the Washington Globe, the organ for the Jackson Administration. He tutored the children of Henry Clay, who was an arch political enemy of Jackson, and was nursed back to health after a grave illness by Clay's wife, Lucretia.

Prior to his death in 1869, Kendall had been the last surviving member of the Jackson and Van Buren Cabinets.

Books

"Life of Andrew Jackson, Private, Military, and Civil" (New York, 1843, uncompleted) "Full Exposure of Dr. Charles T.