Introduction and Study Guide This is the first edition of Speakers of the House of Representatives 1789 - 2009. With infor- mation that has never before been gathered into one volume, it not only includes detailed biographies of the 53 men and woman who have served as Speaker, but offers a wealth of supportive material that combines for a complete picture of the Speakers and the speaker- ship - the history, the power, and the changes. With detailed content, thoughtful arrangement, and several “user guide” elements, Speakers of the House of Representatives is designed for multiple levels of study. CONTENT Speaker Biographies This major portion of the work - comprises 54 detailed biographies that average 7 pages long. This section is arranged chronologically, beginning with the first Speaker — Frederick Muhlenberg, who began his term in 1789 - and ending with the current Speaker - Nancy Pelosi, who was elected in 2007 as the first female Speaker of the House. Each biography starts off with an image of the Speaker and dates of service, and thoughtfully categorized into logical subsections that guide the reader through the details: Personal History; Early Years in Congress; The Vote; Acceptance Speech; Legacy as Speaker; After Leaving the Speakership. Each biography is strengthened by direct quotations — easily identified in italics — of the Speaker, or influential colleagues of the time. In addition, scattered throughout the bio- graphical section are unique, original graphics - from autographs to personal letters - that not only give the reader an inside look at the Speaker, but also at the times during which he served. Biographies also include Further Reading, and cross references to Primary Docu- ments that appear later in the book. Historical Essays Provides in-depth information, at an average of 6 pages each, on the office of the speaker- ship. The topics of these nine essays are far reaching. You will read about the office’s early formation in the House of Commons in England, controversial Speaker elections, the role of the Speaker during Presidential Impeachment, and even the difficulty in studying the speakership. These historical essays are engagingly written, and provide facts and figures that will help give the reader a full understanding of why the office of speakership was created, and how it evolved into what some consider the most powerful in modern politics. Primary Documents This is a unique collection of 43 documents. From acceptance and resignation speeches, to articles with titles like “The New Speaker” (1899) and “... the Changing of the Guard” (1989), these documents are reprinted verbatim and fully sourced. The author sets the stage with an individual introduction for each document that gives timing, background and historical significance. Using cross-references, the reader can quickly link these Primary Documents to Speaker Bios, for a more complete understanding of each speaker’s struggles and successes. xviii Introduction and Study Guide Speakers of the House of Representatives Timeline 1789 - 2009 This chronology of the speakership begins in 1789, when the House of Representatives met for the first time in Federal Hall in New York City, and ends with the passage of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It includes significant events — such as the creation of committees, landmark votes, critical arguments, and the passage of laws - all as they relate to not only specific Speakers, but to the office of the speakership. It includes over 120 entries, most of which are not simply dates and events, but lengthy explanations of the “before” and “after” each significant event. Appendices These eight Appendices offer a fascinating look at the statistics of the speakership. These tables include: Years Served in Congress before being Elected Speaker; Votes of each Speaker Election; Midterm Election Results; Speakers by State; Congressional Distribution by Congress and Party. Each Appendix also includes a brief description. Bibliography More than 300 sources, organized in several categories, including Books, Articles, Unpub- lished Master’s Theses and Dissertations, Official Government Documents. Subject Index This detailed subject index helps readers quickly find just what they are looking for, includ- ing individuals, places, legislation, publications and areas of significance to the office of the speakership. Speakers of the House of Representatives 1789 - 2009 is the only resource of its kind. It offers an unequalled look at the men and woman given the distinct honor to work nearly always behind the political scenes, but the power to affect life-altering change for all Americans. This first edition of Speakers of the House of Representatives 1789 - 2009 is also available as an ebook. For more information, visit www.greyhouse.com. Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg Served as Speaker: April 1, 1789 - March 4, 1791 December 2, 1793 - March 4, 1795 peaker of the House (1789-91, 1793-95), a Lu- Mühlen (Mann says that the town is Mühlberg, but Stheran minister whose move into the political all other sources name it as Mühlen), the mill town arena led to his serving as the President of the (“muhlen” is German for mill) on the Elbe River in Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention (1787), Saxony where the family originated about the tenth which led to his election to a seat in the first Con- century in the form of Ziracka, a prince of the gress. Muhlenberg, the scion of a famed Pennsylva- Wendish and Sorbic tribes, who converted to Chris- nia family, served as the first Speaker in the first tianity about 950 AD. Frederick’s father, Henry Congress, as well as the Speaker in the Third Con- Melchior Muhlenberg (1711-1787), born at Einbeck gress, alternating in the first years of the legislative (also spelled Eimbeck in some source) in the Elec- branch with Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (Second Con- toral Principality of Hanover, came to America in gress) and Jonathan Dayton (Fourth Congress). 1742 and is called the “Father of American Speculation on the decision of the members of that Lutheranism” for his aiding and establishing the Ger- first Federal Congress, which met in New York City man wing of the Lutheran Church in this country. in 1789, for selecting Muhlenberg for the distin- The father of 11 children, Henry saw two of his sons guished post vary, but historians believe that his become famous in American history: John Peter Ga- firm and resolute presiding over the Pennsylvania briel Muhlenberg (1746-1807), also a minister, sided, Constitutional Convention, which ratified the char- against his father’s wishes, with the American Revo- ter, led to his selection as Speaker. lution in 1776 against the British crown, obtaining a commission with the backing of General George Personal History Washington. Frederick Muhlenberg came from an extremely influ- In a moment noted by his John Peter’s grandson a ential family in early America. According to William century later, in 1775 Peter Muhlenberg, in one of his Mann, the biographer of Frederick Muhlenberg’s fa- sermons, exclaimed, “There is a time for all things: a ther, his ancestors, the von Mühlenbergs, came from time to preach and a time to pray; but there is also a 2 Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg Speakers of the House of Representatives time to fight, and that time has now come.” Alleg- without his approval - by the Pennsylvania Assembly edly, he threw down his robe, revealing a military to serve as one of the state’s three seats in the Conti- uniform - although the story is apocryphal and is per- nental Congress. Muhlenberg served on several impor- haps myth. Henry Muhlenberg’s other famous son, tant committees in the Congress, but because of the Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, was born in dire economic situation in Pennsylvania little could be the German settlement of Trappe, Pennsylvania, in done; however, he was also optimistic, mixing religion Montgomery County in the eastern part of that state, and politics with ease. In a letter to one of his brothers on 1 January 1850. His father Henry had married in October 1780, Muhlenberg explained, Anna Maria (née Weiser), also a German immigrant, although little is known about her. In 1763, when he The coffers are empty, the taxes almost unen- was 13, Frederick and his brothers John Peter Gabriel durable, the people are in a bad humor, the and Gotthilf Henry Ernest (known as Henry) moved money discredited, the army magazines ex- to Germany, where they received their education. hausted, and the prospect to replenish them Frederick attended the Orphan House School of the poor; the soldiers are badly clad, winter is com- Franckesche Stiftungen before he completed his edu- ing...taking this and other things into account, cation at the University of Halle (now the Martin public service might appear undesirable. How- Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg), in Saxony, ever, let us one more take cheer and be stead- where, like his father, he studied theology and be- fast, rely on God, and our own strength, and came a Lutheran minister. Muhlenberg returned to endure courageously, then we shall after be sure the colonies with his brother Henry in September of reaching our goal. 1770 and the following month was ordained as a Lu- Tiring of fighting about these issues, when the Con- theran minister by the United Evangelical Lutheran tinental Congress adjourned Muhlenberg accepted Congregations in Reading, Pennsylvania. From that a seat in the Pennsylvania State Assembly and was period until 1773, he preached in several towns in elected Speaker. During this period, Muhlenberg Pennsylvania; in late 1773, he moved to New York wrote a series of articles - some in English, but many City, where he had been invited to minister to the in German - defending his service in the Continen- Swamp Church (also known as Christ Church) in tal Congress and the body itself.