Poinsett, Joel Roberts

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Joel Roberts Poinsett was Secretary of War under Martin Van Buren’s administration. Joel Poinsett was born in South Carolina in 1779. His early years were spent in England. Upon his family’s return to the United States in 1788, he was educated in Connecticut. Two years later he was sent back to England to finish his education. He spent a few years at the university in Edinburgh where he studied medicine. While he was in England, Poinsett attended the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He came back to America in 1800 to study law in South Carolina, but would soon leave to travel in Europe and Asia. He finally returned to the United States in 1809. Upon his return, he was appointed by President Madison to help establish relations with the people of South America. After his mission to South America Poinsett served in the South Carolina legislature and in the United States Congress. During the 1820’s, Poinsett served as minister to Mexico. He was appointed as Secretary of War during the administration of Martin Van Buren. During his tenure as Secretary of War, Poinsett presided over Indian Removal and the war with the Florida Seminoles. He died in South Carolina on December 12, 1851.

Source: The National Cyclopedia of America Biography. 6 (Ann Arbor: University Microfilms) 1967, p435.