Post by Richard Kirchmeyer

On today’s date 185 years ago, Monday, September 5, 1836, famous American soldier & politician Samuel “Sam” Houston (1793-1863), victor of the April 21, 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, was elected as the first President of the newly-founded Republic of Texas. Sam Houston had become an active candidate just eleven days before the election. Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar (1798-1859), known as “The Keenest Blade at San Jacinto,” was elected as Vice President. Houston received strong support from the Texian Army & from those who believed that his election would ensure internal stability, hasten recognition by world powers, & bring about early annexation to the United States. Sam Houston served two terms as President of the Republic of Texas, & subsequently served as a United States senator & as Governor of the State of Texas. The 1861 photographic portrait of Sam Houston was made by pioneering photographer Mathew B. Brady (1822-1896), “The Father of Photojournalism.”