General Benjamin Franklin Butler

Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer, politician and soldier. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Massachusetts, Butler served in the Massachusetts legislature and as an officer in the state militia. During the American Civil War, Butler served as a major general in the Union Army, in which he helped create the legal idea of effectively freeing fugitive slaves as contraband in service of military objectives. That initiative by Butler eventually led to a political groundswell to include general emancipation and slavery's destruction as official war goals for the Union. However, Butler also became a despised figure in the South during the Union occupation of New Orleans. After the war, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, and later served as the 33rd Governor of Massachusetts from 1883 to 1884.

Subject ID: 18564

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Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer, politician and soldier. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Massachusetts, Butler served in the Massachusetts legislature and as an officer in the state militia. During the American Civil War, Butler served as a major general in the Union Army, in which he helped create the legal idea of effectively freeing fugitive slaves as contraband in service of military objectives. That initiative by Butler eventually led to a political groundswell to include general emancipation and slavery's destruction as official war goals for the Union. However, Butler also became a despised figure in the South during the Union occupation of New Orleans. After the war, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, and later served as the 33rd Governor of Massachusetts from 1883 to 1884.

Subject ID: 18564

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