Later, as secretary of the treasury, Gallatinassumed a major role in promoting the exploration and settlement of the western frontier. He also helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 (1812–15). Gallatin served as U.S. ambassador to France and to England before ending a public career that lasted almost four decades.
Noble Beginnings
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was born on January 29, 1761, in Geneva, Switzerland. His mother was Sophie Albertine Rolaz du Rosey, and his father, Jean Gallatin, was a merchant.Although Albert came from an old and noble family, his parents were not wealthy. Young Albert became orphaned at the age of nine and was sent to live with a distant relative, Catherine Picket.
When Albert turned thirteen, he entered the Academy of Geneva, where he received an excellent education. During Albert's time at the Academy, his natural abilities and intelligence were recognized by several renowned scholars. Albert graduated in 1779; the following year, just weeks short of his nineteenth birthday, he boarded a ship for America in search of his fortune.
Gallatin and a friend arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in July 1780 with a shipment of tea they hoped would produce a large profit for them.
This is a free page. This page contains 186 words. This
article contains 2,750 words (approx. 9 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Article with our Gallatin, Albert Access Pass.
