Cassius Marcellus Clay (politician)

Major General Cassius Marcellus Clay was an American planter, politician, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869. Born in Kentucky to a wealthy planter family, Clay entered politics during the 1830s and grew to support the abolitionist cause in the U.S., drawing ire from fellow Southerners. A founding member of the Republican Party in Kentucky, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as the U.S. minister to Russia. Clay is credited with influencing Russian support for the Union during the American Civil War.

19 October 1810

Born on the same birth day (19 October): Bruce Weber (basketball) • Colton Dixon • Dan Smith (ice hockey) • Dave Guard • Divine (performer) • Michael Steele • Pierre Alechinsky • Sammis Reyes • Tracy Chevalier • Verónica Castro • Vladimir Shlapentokh • William Joel Blass • Zakhar Dubensky

Born in the same month (October 1810): Adolphe-Félix Cals • Alfred Kennerley