Blair, Francis P(reston) (1791-1876)

US journalist and politician. In 1830, as editor of the Washington Globe and a member of the Democratic president Andrew Jackson's ‘kitchen cabinet’ of unelected advisers, he became a powerful influence in government circles, but was ousted by James Polk and John Calhoun. He then supported Martin Van Buren, and later helped to organize the new Republican Party.

Blair was born in Abingdon, Virginia. After Lincoln's re-election 1864 Blair succeeded in persuading Jefferson Davis to appoint a conference for the cessation of hostilities, but the conference proved abortive. After the Civil War he rejoined the Democrats.