U.S. Diplomat. A member of the prominent Brent and Carroll families of Virginia and Maryland. In 1793, he became a Clerk in the Treasury Department, where he worked until 1800, when he became a Clerk in the Department of State. In 1803, he was a witness in the Marbury v. Madison case, and gave testimony concerning his role in sending commissions to "midnight appointees" named by the outgoing Adams administration in 1801. In 1817 Brent was named Chief Clerk of the State Department (equivalent to the modern Deputy Secretary of State), a position he held for over sixteen years. As the most senior career employee in the department, he served as Acting Secretary of State on several occasions, including March, 1825 at the start of the John Q. Adams administration, 1831 during Edward Livingston's absence from Washington, and 1834 during the absence of Louis McLane. Several Secretaries of State praised Brent's abilities, with Henry Clay remarking on more than one occasion that he would have been unable to serve as Secretary without the continuity Brent provided. In 1834 he was appointed US Consul in Paris, France, where he served until his death. While living in Paris he began a biography of his uncle, Archbishop John Carroll. After Brent's death this book was completed by his nephew, John Carroll Brent.
U.S. Diplomat. A member of the prominent Brent and Carroll families of Virginia and Maryland. In 1793, he became a Clerk in the Treasury Department, where he worked until 1800, when he became a Clerk in the Department of State. In 1803, he was a witness in the Marbury v. Madison case, and gave testimony concerning his role in sending commissions to "midnight appointees" named by the outgoing Adams administration in 1801. In 1817 Brent was named Chief Clerk of the State Department (equivalent to the modern Deputy Secretary of State), a position he held for over sixteen years. As the most senior career employee in the department, he served as Acting Secretary of State on several occasions, including March, 1825 at the start of the John Q. Adams administration, 1831 during Edward Livingston's absence from Washington, and 1834 during the absence of Louis McLane. Several Secretaries of State praised Brent's abilities, with Henry Clay remarking on more than one occasion that he would have been unable to serve as Secretary without the continuity Brent provided. In 1834 he was appointed US Consul in Paris, France, where he served until his death. While living in Paris he began a biography of his uncle, Archbishop John Carroll. After Brent's death this book was completed by his nephew, John Carroll Brent.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Inscription
Daniel Brent of Stafford County, Virginia. Consul of the United States of America for Paris & deceased at Paris the 31st of January A.D. 1841.
Family Members
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