Conkling, Roscoe (1829-1888)

US politician, one of the founders of the Republican Party 1854. He served in the House of Representatives 1859-63 and 1865-67, and in the Senate 1867-81. A radical Republican, Conkling was an active prosecutor in President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial.

Conkling was an energetic supporter of the policy of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S Grant in their conduct of the Civil War and their treatment of the Southern states, and consequently he opposed Johnson's reconstruction policies. In 1880 his vigorous support for Grant and his rivalry with James Blaine led to split in the Republican ranks.

Conkling was born in Albany, New York, the son of a judge; he became a barrister 1850 and was soon appointed district attorney. He was mayor of Utica, New York, 1858. In Congress he became a skilled operator of the spoils system, and had a protracted dispute with President James Garfield on the patronage issue, resulting in his resignation from the Senate 1881. Conkling also declined an appointment to the Supreme Court 1882 and returned to private law practice.