Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Henry Clay
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2017
1. Henry Clay Marker
Henry Clay, born in Virginia in 1777, came to Lexington at the age of twenty and quickly established a successful law practice. In 1799 he married Lucretia Hart, daughter of one of this city’s most prominent families.
He served six years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, part of that time as a speaker and filled two unexpired terms in the United States Senate before being elected to the U.S. House in 1811. There he was speaker until 1814 and again from 1815 to 1820 and 1823 to 1825. In 1814 he was one of the country’s ministers to Ghent, where the treaty with Great Britain was written, ending the War of 1812. From 1825 to 1829 he was Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams, and from 1831 to 1842 and 1849 to 1852 was a U.S. Senator.
Throughout his long career, Clay was famed as one of America’s greatest statesman and orators; and was a candidate for President of the United States in 1824, 1832 and again in 1844.
After his death in Washington in 1852 his remains were brought to Lexington for burial as he had instructed. The Clay Monument Association financed and erected this memorial, which
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2017
2. Henry Clay Marker (wide view)
this page online
In July, 1976, the weather-worn monument, restored by state and local governments, was rededicated and enrolled on the National Register of Historic Places.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #06 John Quincy Adams series list.
Location. 38° 3.447′ N, 84° 30.456′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from West Main Street (U.S. 421) 0.1 miles north of Newtown Pike / Oliver Lewis Highway (Kentucky Route 922). Marker is located at the Henry Clay Mausoleum within Lexington Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 833 West Main Street, Lexington KY 40508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1787-1987 Bicentennial Tree (a few steps from this marker); Lexington Cemetery (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Address by President Lincoln (approx. 0.2 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lexington National Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Soldiers Monument
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2017
3. Henry Clay Mausoleum & Monument (tall view)
More about this marker. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the Henry Clay Mausoleum, just to the right of the entrance.
Also see . . . Henry Clay: Most Powerful American Politician Who Was Never Elected President. Henry Clay was one of the most powerful and politically significant Americans of the early 19th century. Though he was never elected president, he held enormous influence in the U.S. Congress. Clay's oratorical abilities were legendary, and spectators would flock to the Capitol when it was known he would be giving a speech on the floor of the Senate. But while he was a beloved political leader to millions, Clay was also the subject of vicious political attacks and he collected many enemies over his lengthy career. (Submitted on June 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2017
4. Henry Clay Sarcophagus (view through doorway into mausoleum)
Library of Congress
5. Henry Clay and Lucretia Hart Clay
“reproduced from a daguerreotype taken on their 50th wedding anniversary, probably in 1849.” -- LOC
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 18, 2017
6. United States Daughters of 1812 Dedication Plaque, 2002, (on ground, directly below maker)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on December 29, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on June 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
