Born in Hanover County, Virginia, Henry Clay received little formal education but taught himself enough to become a lawyer. In 1797 he moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Clay was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1806 and in 1810. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1811­21, 1823­25). He was Speaker of the House the same years except 1821. Clay became leader of the War Hawks, who pushed for war with Britain in 1812, and he supported the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Clay served as secretary of state under John Quincy Adams from 1825 until 1829. He was nominated for the presidency in 1832 and 1844 by the Whig Party but lost both times. He served again in the U.S. Senate, this time from 1831 until 1842. Re-elected again in 1849, he led the crafting of the Compromise of 1850 and remained in office until his death in 1852.
