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"Sickles was born in New York City to Susan Marsh Sickles and George Garrett Sickles, a patent lawyer and politician. (His year of birth is sometimes given as 1825, and, in fact, Sickles himself was known to have claimed as such. Historians speculate that Sickles deliberately chose to appear younger when he married a woman half his age.) He learned the printer's trade and studied at the University of the City of New York (now New York University). He studied law in the office of Benjamin Butler, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1847.

On September 27, 1852, Sickles married Teresa Bagioli against the wishes of both families—he was 33, she about 15 or 16, although she was sophisticated for her age, speaking five languages. In 1853 he became corporation counsel of New York City, but resigned soon afterward to become secretary of the U.S. legation in London, under James Buchanan, by appointment of President Franklin Pierce. He returned to America in 1855, and was a member of the New York State Senate (3rd D.) in 1856 and 1857. He was elected as a Democrat to the 35th and 36th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1861."

Sickles consorted with a prostitute, Fanny White, publicly and without shame. His own young wife began an affair with Phillip Barton Key II, the son of Francis Scott Key. When Sickles found out about the affair, he shot Key dead on the street in a mad rage. He was charged with murder, but was found not guilty on the plea of temporary insanity. Frances Seward mentions the trial in the letter 18590307FMS_LMW1.

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Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
"Sickles was born in New York City to Susan Marsh Sickles and George Garrett Sickles, a patent lawyer and politician. (His year of birth is sometimes given as 1825, and, in fact, Sickles himself was known to have claimed as such. Historians speculate that Sickles deliberately chose to appear younger when he married a woman half his age.) He learned the printer's trade and studied at the University of the City of New York (now New York University). He studied law in the office of Benjamin Butler, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1847. On September 27, 1852, Sickles married Teresa Bagioli against the wishes of both families—he was 33, she about 15 or 16, although she was sophisticated for her age, speaking five languages. In 1853 he became corporation counsel of New York City, but resigned soon afterward to become secretary of the U.S. legation in London, under James Buchanan, by appointment of President Franklin Pierce. He returned to America in 1855, and was a member of the New York State Senate (3rd D.) in 1856 and 1857. He was elected as a Democrat to the 35th and 36th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1861." Sickles consorted with a prostitute, Fanny White, publicly and without shame. His own young wife began an affair with Phillip Barton Key II, the son of Francis Scott Key. When Sickles found out about the affair, he shot Key dead on the street in a mad rage. He was charged with murder, but was found not guilty on the plea of temporary insanity. Frances Seward mentions the trial in the letter 18590307FMS_LMW1.
Citation Notes: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Sickles
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Notes: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Sickles
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Notes: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Sickles