Born Robert Walker Blaine on May 8, 1855. He was the eldest (living) son of James Gillespie Blaine and Harriet Stanwood Blaine. (The Blaine's first born, Stanwood died in 1854 at the age of 3). Walker graduated from Yale College in 1876 and then went on to study law at Columbia Law School in New York. After completing his studies, he went to work for the law firm of Sen. Davis in St. Paul, Minn. He was appointed by President Garfield to serve as Third Assistant Secretary to his father Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Shortly after his appointment he was sent by his father on a special mission with William Henry Trescott to South America. President Arthur appointed him assistant counsel for the United States before the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. He remained in that position until the court ceased to exist on January 1, 1886. He then returned to Chicago to practice law. Shortly after President Harrison took office, Walker was nominated and confirmed to be Solicitor of the State Department. This new position found him working with his father again who was serving a Secretary of State. James Blaine shared a close bond with his sons and was especially close to Walker.
On January 10, 1890, Walker became ill and for the next five days was being treated for pneumonia. Doctors had no reason to believe that he would not make a full recovery. On the evening of the 15th, President Harrison came to the home of James Blaine to inquire on Walker's condition and was told that doctors felt his condition was improving. An hour and half later the President was notified by phone that Walker had died suddenly. According to an account in the New York Times, "the news of the death spread like wildfire and very soon callers began to reach the house to offer condolences. Nearly every member of the President's Cabinet, members of the Congressional Delegation from Maine and scores of others...many of them in full evening dress, having hastened there from receptions and dinner parties." Walker never married or had children. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington D.C. The burial site having been chosen by his father was near the little red sandstone chapel overlooking Rock Creek. His sister Alice Blaine Coppinger died just three weeks after him and was buried next to her brother at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Bio: By Paula Lucy Delosh: A lawyer, son of James Gillespie Blaine,(journalist and United States Senator) and wife Harriet S. Brother of Alice S., Margaret J. and Harriet S. Blaine.
On January 10, 1890, Walker became ill and for the next five days was being treated for pneumonia. Doctors had no reason to believe that he would not make a full recovery. On the evening of the 15th, President Harrison came to the home of James Blaine to inquire on Walker's condition and was told that doctors felt his condition was improving. An hour and half later the President was notified by phone that Walker had died suddenly. According to an account in the New York Times, "the news of the death spread like wildfire and very soon callers began to reach the house to offer condolences. Nearly every member of the President's Cabinet, members of the Congressional Delegation from Maine and scores of others...many of them in full evening dress, having hastened there from receptions and dinner parties." Walker never married or had children. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington D.C. The burial site having been chosen by his father was near the little red sandstone chapel overlooking Rock Creek. His sister Alice Blaine Coppinger died just three weeks after him and was buried next to her brother at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Bio: By Paula Lucy Delosh: A lawyer, son of James Gillespie Blaine,(journalist and United States Senator) and wife Harriet S. Brother of Alice S., Margaret J. and Harriet S. Blaine.
Born Robert Walker Blaine on May 8, 1855. He was the eldest (living) son of James Gillespie Blaine and Harriet Stanwood Blaine. (The Blaine's first born, Stanwood died in 1854 at the age of 3). Walker graduated from Yale College in 1876 and then went on to study law at Columbia Law School in New York. After completing his studies, he went to work for the law firm of Sen. Davis in St. Paul, Minn. He was appointed by President Garfield to serve as Third Assistant Secretary to his father Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Shortly after his appointment he was sent by his father on a special mission with William Henry Trescott to South America. President Arthur appointed him assistant counsel for the United States before the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. He remained in that position until the court ceased to exist on January 1, 1886. He then returned to Chicago to practice law. Shortly after President Harrison took office, Walker was nominated and confirmed to be Solicitor of the State Department. This new position found him working with his father again who was serving a Secretary of State. James Blaine shared a close bond with his sons and was especially close to Walker.
On January 10, 1890, Walker became ill and for the next five days was being treated for pneumonia. Doctors had no reason to believe that he would not make a full recovery. On the evening of the 15th, President Harrison came to the home of James Blaine to inquire on Walker's condition and was told that doctors felt his condition was improving. An hour and half later the President was notified by phone that Walker had died suddenly. According to an account in the New York Times, "the news of the death spread like wildfire and very soon callers began to reach the house to offer condolences. Nearly every member of the President's Cabinet, members of the Congressional Delegation from Maine and scores of others...many of them in full evening dress, having hastened there from receptions and dinner parties." Walker never married or had children. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington D.C. The burial site having been chosen by his father was near the little red sandstone chapel overlooking Rock Creek. His sister Alice Blaine Coppinger died just three weeks after him and was buried next to her brother at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Bio: By Paula Lucy Delosh: A lawyer, son of James Gillespie Blaine,(journalist and United States Senator) and wife Harriet S. Brother of Alice S., Margaret J. and Harriet S. Blaine.
On January 10, 1890, Walker became ill and for the next five days was being treated for pneumonia. Doctors had no reason to believe that he would not make a full recovery. On the evening of the 15th, President Harrison came to the home of James Blaine to inquire on Walker's condition and was told that doctors felt his condition was improving. An hour and half later the President was notified by phone that Walker had died suddenly. According to an account in the New York Times, "the news of the death spread like wildfire and very soon callers began to reach the house to offer condolences. Nearly every member of the President's Cabinet, members of the Congressional Delegation from Maine and scores of others...many of them in full evening dress, having hastened there from receptions and dinner parties." Walker never married or had children. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington D.C. The burial site having been chosen by his father was near the little red sandstone chapel overlooking Rock Creek. His sister Alice Blaine Coppinger died just three weeks after him and was buried next to her brother at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Bio: By Paula Lucy Delosh: A lawyer, son of James Gillespie Blaine,(journalist and United States Senator) and wife Harriet S. Brother of Alice S., Margaret J. and Harriet S. Blaine.
Bio by: Dapper
Inscription
WALKER BLAINE / born / at Augusta, Maine / May 8, 1855 / died / at Washington / January 15, 1890. [Foot: W.B.]
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