Robert Gerry (politician)

Robert Gerry (1744-1814) was an American statesman and diplomat. He is best known as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, signing both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He later served as the fifth Vice President of the United States under President James Madison from 1813 until his death in 1814.

Born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Gerry was a successful merchant before becoming deeply involved in the American Revolution. He served in the Continental Congress and was a strong advocate for independence. During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he initially opposed the new Constitution, primarily due to the absence of a Bill of Rights and concerns about the potential for tyranny. This position earned him the label of an Anti-Federalist, although he later supported the Constitution after the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.

In 1797, President John Adams appointed Gerry as part of a diplomatic commission to France. This mission became known as the XYZ Affair, where French officials demanded bribes before engaging in formal negotiations. Gerry refused to participate in these demands and returned to the United States, becoming a symbol of American resistance to foreign corruption.

Later in his career, Gerry served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1810 to 1812. During his term, the state legislature redrew the electoral districts in a manner that heavily favored the Democratic-Republican Party. This practice of drawing electoral districts to benefit a particular party became known as "gerrymandering," a term derived from Gerry's name.

Robert Gerry died in office as Vice President on November 23, 1814, in Washington, D.C. He is buried in the Congressional Cemetery. His legacy remains significant as a key figure in the founding and development of the United States, remembered both for his contributions to American independence and for the enduring term that bears his name.