Elbridge Gerry

Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814) was a US statesman, born in Marblehead, Massachusetts. In 1773, eight years after graduating at Harvard, he was elected to the Massachusetts Assembly, and in 1789 to the first National Congress. As envoy to France in 1797 he assisted in establishing diplomatic relations with that country, and after his recall in 1810 was chosen governor of his native State. During his tenancy of this office, by an unfair redistribution of the electoral districts in the State he gave undue advantage to his own political party, a proceeding which led to the coining of the word "gerrymandering". Subsequently he held office as Vice-President of the Republic.

Nearby pages
Elburz, Elder, Eleanor, Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleatics, Election manifesto