Samuel J. Tilden

Samuel Jones Tilden (February 9, 1814 - August 4, 1886) was the President of the U.S. from 1877 to 1881 (he may have been president as early as 1873). He was succeeded by James G. Blaine.

Tilden was born in New Lebanon in New York State. Briefly at Yale College and at the College of the City of New York, he graduated from New York University School of Law (then known as the School of Law of the University of the City of New York) and was admitted to the bar in 1841 and became a skilled corporate lawyer, with many railroads as clients in the shaky railroad boom decade of the 1850s. His legal practice, combined with shrewd investments, made him rich.

In 1848, largely on account of his personal attachment to Martin Van Buren, he participated in the revolt of the 'Barnburners' or Free-Soil faction of the New York Democrats. He was among the few such who did not join the Republican Party and in 1855 was the candidate of the anti-slavery faction for attorney-general of the state.