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Mirabeau Lamar Biography

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LAMAR, Mirabeau Buonaparte (1798-1859). An American politician, President of Texas, the brother of the elder L. Q. C. Lamar. He was born at Louisville, Ga., and engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits until 1828, when he founded a States'-rights newspaper, the Columbus Independent. In 1835 he went to Texas and became prominently identified with the revolutionary party. He served at the battle of San Jacinto, was commissioned major general, and was appointed to the command of the army in the summer of 1836, but insubordination in the ranks forced his retirement. He then became Attorney-General, Secretary of War, Vice President, and President of Texas. During his term of office as President (1838-41) the independence of Texas was recognized by the chief powers of Europe. He is credited with having originated the educational system of Texas Ile recommended in his message to the Third Congress of the Republic the Act (passed in 1839) granting three leagues of land to each county for the support. of an academy and 50 leagues for the "establishment and endowment" of two universities. From these provisions have developed the public-school system of the State and the University of Texas. He served with distinction in the Mexican War and against the Comanche Indians. In 1857 he was appointed United States Minister to the Argentine Republic, but did not serve; in 1858 Minister to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. He published Verse Memorials.