Dallas, George Mifflin (1792-1864), served as vice president of the United States from 1845 to 1849 under President James K. Polk. He was a loyal supporter of Polk’s policies. His tie-breaking vote in favor of a low tariff bill that Polk favored in 1846 destroyed him politically in Pennsylvania, his home state.
Dallas served as a Democratic U.S. senator from Pennsylvania from 1831 to 1833, as minister to Russia from 1837 to 1839, and as minister to England from 1856 to 1861. While in England, he helped settle disputes over the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. Dallas also held office as mayor of Philadelphia, U.S. district attorney, and attorney general of Pennsylvania. In addition, he was secretary to Albert Gallatin, the U.S. diplomat who helped negotiate an end to the War of 1812.
Dallas was born on July 10, 1792, in Philadelphia. He died on Dec. 31, 1864.
