William Seward

William Henry Seward (1801-1872) was a prominent American politician, lawyer, and statesman who served as Governor of New York, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson.[1][2][3] Renowned for his anti-slavery stance, he played a key role in preventing European recognition of the Confederacy during the Civil War and negotiated the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia.[1][2][4] Seward survived an assassination attempt in 1865 as part of the plot that killed Lincoln.[3][5]