Clinton, De Witt (1769-1828), an American statesman, promoted the building of the Erie Canal. As early as 1809, he advocated building the canal. Clinton served as a canal commissioner during the early years of its construction. The canal was completed in 1825, while Clinton was governor of New York. See Erie Canal .
Clinton was born on March 2, 1769, in Little Britain, New York. He graduated from Columbia College and then studied law. He served as private secretary to his uncle, George Clinton, then governor of New York. He developed a strong interest in politics. In 1797, he was elected to the State Assembly, and in the following year, he served in the state Senate. In 1802, Clinton was sent to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy. The next year, he resigned his seat to become mayor of New York City. He was mayor from 1803 to 1815, except for two short intervals when he served in the New York Senate and was lieutenant governor of the state. In 1812, Clinton was an unsuccessful candidate for president of the United States. He served as governor of New York from 1817 to 1822 and again from 1825 to 1828. During that time, a school system was established in New York. Clinton died on Feb. 11, 1828.
