| This project is a biography of Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina (1758-1837). Macon was Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during the administration of Thomas Jefferson, and during his 37 year career in Congress became one of the most important and influential political figures of the Early National Period. The purpose of this biography is threefold. On the surface it is to produce a narrative of the life of Nathaniel Macon. I have also attempted to blend into this account an analysis of Macon's unique political and constitutional ideology, as well as an examination of his attitudes towards states' rights philosophy. Thirdly, I have attempted to trace the origins of his plain republican ideology from colonial North Carolina antecedents and demonstrate how Macon's governmental philosophy influenced the political ideology in the "Age of Jackson" and beyond. It is a basic theme of this biography that Macon provided an important link between Jeffersonian republicanism and Jacksonian democracy. In addition, I believe that much of what eventually became known as Jacksonian democracy was Antifederalist ideology which remained a viable and important system of thought through much of the 19th century. Macon provided and important conduit for these intellectuals threads. |
