Diplomat, Anti-Slavery Activist. The son of anti-slavery activist Judge William Jay and the grandson of US Chief Justice John Jay, John Jay II graduated from Columbia University in 1836 and became an attorney in 1839. Following his father into the anti-slavery movement, while still in college he was President of the New York Young Men's Antislavery Society. Jay was an organizer of the Free Soil Party and presided at several of its conventions. In 1854 he organized a series of popular anti-slavery meetings at New York's Broadway Tabernacle, an event that played a role in the founding of the Republican party the following year. From 1869 to 1875 Jay was US Minister to Austria-Hungary. In 1877 he was head of a commission that investigated future President Chester Arthur's performance as Collector of the Port of New York. In 1883 Jay was appointed to the New York State Civil Service Commission, and later served as President. John Jay II was also an author and historian, publishing many anti-slavery books and pamphlets, and serving as President of the American Historical Association.
Diplomat, Anti-Slavery Activist. The son of anti-slavery activist Judge William Jay and the grandson of US Chief Justice John Jay, John Jay II graduated from Columbia University in 1836 and became an attorney in 1839. Following his father into the anti-slavery movement, while still in college he was President of the New York Young Men's Antislavery Society. Jay was an organizer of the Free Soil Party and presided at several of its conventions. In 1854 he organized a series of popular anti-slavery meetings at New York's Broadway Tabernacle, an event that played a role in the founding of the Republican party the following year. From 1869 to 1875 Jay was US Minister to Austria-Hungary. In 1877 he was head of a commission that investigated future President Chester Arthur's performance as Collector of the Port of New York. In 1883 Jay was appointed to the New York State Civil Service Commission, and later served as President. John Jay II was also an author and historian, publishing many anti-slavery books and pamphlets, and serving as President of the American Historical Association.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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