William Yancey

William Yancey, of Alabama, served in the US House of Representatives as a Democrat before the war and quickly developed a reputation as a fire-eating advocate of states’ sovereignty, slavery and, eventually, Southern secession.

Shortly after the Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861, he was assigned by President Jefferson Davis to head the diplomatic mission to Europe, and to serve as Confederate Envoy to London.  His ardent pro-slavery stance, however, resulted in his cool reception by London society, rendering him largely ineffective in achieving his aim to persuade Lord Palmerston’s Government to acknowledge the Confederacy’s independence.  The Richmond government replaced him with James Murray Mason before the year’s close.

Upon returning from London, Yancey served in the Confederate Senate until his death in July 1863 at the age of 48.