biography
pronunciation:
[hyoostn]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1793–1863)
|
| biography:
| US soldier and statesman, born in Lexington, Virginia, USA. In his teens he lived for three years among the Cherokee Indians, learning their customs and language. He enlisted in the army in 1813, but resigned in 1818 and studied law. In 1823 he was elected a member of Congress, and in 1827 became Governor of Tennessee. As commander-in-chief in the Texan War, he defeated the Mexicans on the San Jacinto in 1836, and achieved Texan independence. He was elected president of the republic, re-elected in 1841, and on the annexation of Texas (1845) returned to the US Senate. Elected Governor of Texas in 1859, he opposed secession, was deposed in 1861, and retired to private life. Houston, TX, is named after him. |
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