Daniel D. Tompkins

Daniel D. Tompkins was a New York lawyer, jurist, politician, governor, and the sixth Vice President of the United States. He rose through New York's Democratic-Republican political establishment during the early republic and became particularly prominent for his leadership during the War of 1812. He served two terms as James Monroe's vice president but left office in poor health and died only three months afterward.

Tompkins was born on June 21, 1774, in Scarsdale, New York, to Jonathan Griffin Tompkins and Sarah Ann Hyatt. He attended Columbia College, graduating in 1795, and subsequently studied law before being admitted to the New York bar in 1797. He established himself as a lawyer in New York City and married Hannah Minthorne in 1798, with whom he eventually had eight children.

Tompkins entered politics as a Democratic-Republican and was elected to the New York State Assembly and later to the U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned from Congress before taking his seat and instead accepted an appointment as an associate justice of the New York Supreme Court in 1804. His political rise continued when he was elected governor of New York in 1807, defeating the incumbent Morgan Lewis.

As governor, Tompkins became one of the leading supporters of the War of 1812. He worked extensively to organize New York's defenses and used his personal credit to help finance military expenditures when federal and state funds were insufficient. His wartime leadership strengthened his national reputation, and in 1816 James Monroe selected him as his running mate. Tompkins was elected vice president in 1816 and reelected in 1820, presiding over the Senate throughout Monroe's two terms.

Tompkins left the vice presidency on March 4, 1825, but his retirement was troubled by serious financial and health difficulties. He had personally borrowed and advanced large sums during the War of 1812 and spent years attempting to obtain reimbursement from the federal government, while his health deteriorated because of long-term alcohol abuse and other ailments. Tompkins died on June 11, 1825, at his home on Staten Island, only 99 days after leaving the vice presidency.

Tompkins is remembered particularly for his service as governor during the War of 1812 and for his efforts to finance New York's military defense. His vice presidency was comparatively quiet, but his two terms established a precedent for a vice president serving across two full presidential terms. Tompkinsville on Staten Island, which developed around land associated with him and his family, preserves his name.