Albert Gallatin – Historical Age-Esteemer

I love to discover historical expositions that feature age-esteemers.  Albert Gallatin is one of these historical age-esteemers.

Few people know Albert Gallatin.  Certainly I don’t remember learning about him in history classes while growing up.  Yet this Swiss American was Secretary of the Treasure under both Presidents Jefferson and Madison, helped found New York University, was instrumental in the Louisiana Purchase, and was responsible for many improvements in the infrastructure such as roads within the United States.

Albert Gallatin left his home in Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 19.  From that time on he was active in the development of the “new world”.  He seemed to never stop.

At the age of 69 he was asked to run as Vice President of the United States on the Republican ticket with William Crawford.  The letter that Albert Gallatin wrote to say that he would not run for this office was on display at the Exposition Gallatin in Geneva, Switzerland, as was a letter written to Albert Gallatin in 1806 by Thomas Jefferson.

Looking at these amazing artifacts, I remember wondering what virtual artifacts will be saved in cyber space from our lives today.

Bonnie Fatio