Biography

John Bigelow was born in Malden, New York, graduated Union College in 1835, and practiced law in New York. He also worked as a journalist, and as the managing editor of the New York Evening Post from 1849-1861. In 1864 he was appointed the minister to France, a position he held until 1867. During the Civil War he thwarted the efforts of the French to assist the Confederates, preventing their delivery of ships to Confederate agents. He was also involved in negotiations concerning the French occupation of Mexico. From 1875-77 he served as secretary of state of New York, and wrote books of travel, history, and politics. He wrote biographies of Samuel J. Tilden and William Cullen Bryant.