William Eaton Chandler

American politician
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Quick Facts
Born:
Dec. 28, 1835, Concord, N.H., U.S.
Died:
Nov. 30, 1917, Concord (aged 81)
Title / Office:
United States Senate (1887-1901), United States
Political Affiliation:
Republican Party

William Eaton Chandler (born Dec. 28, 1835, Concord, N.H., U.S.—died Nov. 30, 1917, Concord) was an American politician and Republican Party official who played a major role in swinging the disputed 1876 presidential election to Rutherford B. Hayes. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1854, Chandler began a dual career in law and journalism. In 1863 he was elected to the New Hampshire legislature. He entered national politics when President Abraham Lincoln assigned him to investigate fraud in the Philadelphia navy yard. Chandler later performed other functions in the Navy Department before President Andrew Johnson made him assistant secretary ...(100 of 275 words)