# John C. Breckinridge > vice president of the United States from 1857 to 1861 (1821–1875) **Wikidata**: [Q273212](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q273212) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Breckinridge) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-c-breckinridge ## Summary John C. Breckinridge (full name John Cabell Breckinridge) was an American politician, lawyer, military officer, and university teacher who served as the 14th Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861. Born on January 16, 1821, and died on May 17, 1875, he is historically significant as the youngest Vice President in U.S. history at age 36, and he later served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He is the only Vice President to later serve as an enemy general during a civil war. ## Biography - **Born:** January 16, 1821 (specific date from structured properties) - **Died:** May 17, 1875 - **Nationality:** American (United States), also held citizenship in the Confederate States of America during and after the Civil War - **Education:** - Centre College (Danville, Kentucky) — undergraduate institution - Transylvania University (Lexington, Kentucky) — additional education - Princeton University — completed education - **Known for:** Serving as Vice President of the United States (1857-1861); later becoming a Confederate general during the American Civil War; being the youngest Vice President in U.S. history - **Employer(s):** - Centre College (affiliated institution) - Transylvania University (affiliated institution) - Princeton University (affiliated institution) - **Field(s):** Politics, Law, Military, Higher Education ## Contributions John C. Breckinridge made significant contributions across multiple domains: 1. **Political Leadership**: Served as Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861 under President James Buchanan. At age 36, he became the youngest person to hold that office in U.S. history. 2. **Legal Practice**: Worked as a lawyer, one of his primary occupations throughout his adult life. 3. **Military Service**: Served as a military personnel during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and later as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865). 4. **Higher Education**: Served as a university teacher, affiliated with Centre College, Transylvania University, and Princeton University. 5. **Political Representation**: Held positions in government as a politician, representing both state and national interests. ## FAQs **What was John C. Breckinridge's most significant political role?** John C. Breckinridge served as the 14th Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861, making him the youngest Vice President in American history at age 36. **What happened to John C. Breckinridge during the American Civil War?** During the American Civil War (1861-1865), John C. Breckinridge served as a general in the Confederate States Army, making him the only U.S. Vice President to later serve as a military leader for an opposing nation during a civil war. **Where did John C. Breckinridge receive his education?** John C. Breckinridge was educated at three institutions: Centre College in Danville, Kentucky; Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky; and Princeton University. **What occupations did John C. Breckinridge hold?** John C. Breckinridge held multiple occupations including politician, lawyer, university teacher, and military personnel. **What is notable about John C. Breckinridge's place of birth?** While the specific birthplace is not detailed in the source material, he was born in 1821 and had connections to Kentucky, with Centre College and Transylvania University both located in Kentucky. ## Why They Matter John C. Breckinridge matters in American history for several profound reasons: 1. **Historical Precedent**: He remains the only Vice President in U.S. history to later take up arms against the Union as a Confederate general, representing the ultimate political fall from grace in American political history. 2. **Symbol of Sectional Tension**: His political career and subsequent defection to the Confederacy embodied the deep sectional divisions that led to the Civil War. As a Northern-born politician who became a Southern military leader, he represented the complex political loyalties of the era. 3. **Youngest Vice President**: His record as the youngest Vice President stood for generations, demonstrating that American democracy was willing to elevate young leaders to high office. 4. **Post-War Reconciliation**: After the Civil War, Breckinridge's return to legal practice and his attempts at reconciliation represented the difficult path toward healing a divided nation. 5. **Educational Legacy**: His affiliations with three distinguished American institutions of higher education — Centre College, Transylvania University, and Princeton University — demonstrate his commitment to education and intellectual development. ## Notable For - **Youngest Vice President**: At age 36, was the youngest Vice President in U.S. history (1857-1861) - **Only Confederate Vice President**: The only U.S. Vice President to later serve as a general for the Confederacy - **Mexican-American War Service**: Participated in the military conflict between the United States and Mexico (1846-1848) - **Multi-State Education**: Attended three distinct institutions of higher learning across Kentucky and New Jersey - **Dual Citizenship**: Held citizenship in both the United States and the Confederate States of America - **Political Dynasty Connection**: Connected to the Breckenridge name, which appears in multiple U.S. locations including Breckenridge, Missouri; Breckenridge, Minnesota; and Breckenridge, Colorado (founded 1859) - **Legal Career**: Practiced law as a primary profession alongside his political and military service ## Body ### Early Life and Education John Cabell Breckinridge was born on January 16, 1821. He received his early education at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, before continuing his studies at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He completed his formal education at Princeton University, one of the Ivy League institutions in New Jersey. This educational path provided him with the classical liberal arts training typical of aspiring politicians and lawyers of the antebellum period. ### Political Career Breckinridge's political career began in his native Kentucky and quickly ascended to the national stage. His election as Vice President in 1857 marked a significant milestone in American political history. At just 36 years old, he became the youngest person ever to hold that office — a record that would stand for decades. His tenure as Vice President coincided with one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. The nation was deeply divided over the issue of slavery, and the political landscape was shifting dramatically. Breckinridge represented the Southern wing of the Democratic Party and advocated for the protection of Southern interests, particularly regarding slavery. ### The Civil War and Confederate Service When the American Civil War erupted in 1861, Breckinridge made the controversial decision to side with the Confederacy. He became a general in the Confederate States Army, making him unique in American history as the only former Vice President to serve as a military commander for an opposing force during a civil war. His military service during the Civil War (1861-1865) placed him directly in opposition to the United States government he had once served as Vice President. This dramatic shift in allegiance exemplified the deep sectional divisions that characterized the era. ### Professional Life Beyond politics and military service, Breckinridge practiced law as a professional lawyer. He was also affiliated with higher education, serving as a university teacher at several institutions, including Centre College, Transylvania University, and Princeton University. These connections to educational institutions reflected the importance of intellectual development and classical education in his life. ### Later Life and Legacy John C. Breckinridge died on May 17, 1875, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. His life represented the complex political and social tensions of mid-19th century America. The legacy of his decisions — particularly his choice to join the Confederacy — has been the subject of considerable historical debate. His name is commemorated in American geography, with multiple locations named Breckenridge across the United States, including towns in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado. The Colorado town, founded in 1859, stands as a lasting geographical tribute to his historical presence. ### Historical Significance Breckinridge's significance in American history extends beyond his individual accomplishments. He represents the profound political divisions that ultimately led to civil war. His trajectory from the second-highest office in the United States to Confederate military leadership serves as a stark illustration of how political disagreements can escalate to armed conflict. His story also reflects the broader patterns of American history during the antebellum and Civil War periods — the tensions between North and South, the complexities of slavery as a political issue, and the challenges of national reconciliation after the war. ## References 1. The Peerage 2. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 3. Geni.com 4. SNAC 5. Find a Grave 6. GeneaStar 7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/interactive/2022/congress-slaveowners-names-list/) 10. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/John_C._Breckinridge-BZXYG) 11. Virtual International Authority File