US Postmaster. Born in Paris, Maine, he was an owner of a newspaper company when he began a career in the federal post office department in 1838. He worked first as a clerk and then was put in charge of securing mail contracts in New England. In 1850, he became superintendent of the Foreign Mail Service and was an integral player in the 1853 Bremen Convention, which established cheaper rates for international postage. He served as first Assistant Postmaster General in 1854 and was appointed Postmaster General by President James Buchanan in 1861. He served only a month before Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States and although Lincoln appointed his own postmaster general, he retained King's services appointing him to a committee addressing compensation rates for emancipated slaves in the District of Columbia. After leaving the Postal Service, he was an attorney for the executive department and international commissions. He died at age 85 in Washington D.C.
US Postmaster. Born in Paris, Maine, he was an owner of a newspaper company when he began a career in the federal post office department in 1838. He worked first as a clerk and then was put in charge of securing mail contracts in New England. In 1850, he became superintendent of the Foreign Mail Service and was an integral player in the 1853 Bremen Convention, which established cheaper rates for international postage. He served as first Assistant Postmaster General in 1854 and was appointed Postmaster General by President James Buchanan in 1861. He served only a month before Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President of the United States and although Lincoln appointed his own postmaster general, he retained King's services appointing him to a committee addressing compensation rates for emancipated slaves in the District of Columbia. After leaving the Postal Service, he was an attorney for the executive department and international commissions. He died at age 85 in Washington D.C.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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