King, Rufus (1755-1827)

US politician and diplomat. He represented Massachusetts at the Continental Congress 1784-87 and the Constitutional Convention in 1787 where he played an influential role in arguing for a strong central government. He was US senator (Federalist, New York) 1789-96, continuing his eloquent advocacy of Federalist positions. He was ambassador to Britain 1796-1803, then ran unsuccessfully for the vice presidency (1804 and 1808). He again served on the Senate (Federalist, New York) 1813-25 and was the last Federalist to run for the presidency in 1816.

Born in Scarboro, Maine (then part of Massachusetts), he trained as a lawyer. In the Senate he continued his lifelong opposition to the spread of slavery, resisted the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and supported the emancipation of the slaves. He went to Britain in 1825 as the US ambassador, but illness forced him to return in 1826.