John Holmes (Maine politician)

John Holmes (1773-1843) was a prominent American lawyer and politician from Maine during the early 19th century. He played a significant role in the separation of Maine from Massachusetts and its subsequent admission to the Union as a free state.

Born in Kingston, Massachusetts, Holmes graduated from Brown University in 1796 and moved to Maine to practice law. He quickly became involved in politics, serving in the Massachusetts General Court (before Maine's statehood). He was a strong advocate for Maine statehood, arguing for the region's distinct interests and its right to self-governance.

Holmes was a key figure in the Missouri Compromise of 1820. While he personally opposed slavery, he ultimately supported the compromise, which allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state, thereby maintaining the balance of power in the Senate. This decision proved controversial and drew criticism from some abolitionists.

Following Maine's statehood, Holmes served as one of the state's first two United States Senators from 1820 to 1823. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1825 to 1827. He held other political positions in Maine, including serving in the Maine State Legislature.

Holmes was known for his powerful oratory and his complex political views. He was a figure of considerable influence in the early years of Maine's statehood. His legacy remains complex, particularly concerning his role in the Missouri Compromise, reflecting the difficult political realities surrounding slavery in the early 19th century.