Zebulon Vance
Zebulon Baird Vance (May 13, 1830 – April 14, 1894) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 37th and 43rd governor of North Carolina, a U.S. Senator from North Carolina, and a Confederate officer during the American Civil War.
Zeb Vance | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator from North Carolina | |
| In office March 4, 1879 – April 14, 1894 | |
| Preceded by | Augustus S. Merrimon |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jarvis |
| 37th and 43rd Governor of North Carolina | |
| In office January 1, 1877 – February 5, 1879 | |
| Lieutenant | Thomas J. Jarvis |
| Preceded by | Curtis Brogden |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jarvis |
| In office September 8, 1862 – May 29, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Clark |
| Succeeded by | William Holden |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 8th district | |
| In office December 7, 1858 – March 3, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas L. Clingman |
| Succeeded by | Robert B. Vance |
| North Carolina Senate | |
| In office December 1854 – November 1856 | |
| Succeeded by | David Coleman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 13, 1830 Reems Creek, Buncombe County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | April 14, 1894 (aged 63) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig (1852–1856) American (1857) Conservative Party (1862–1868) Democratic (1868–1894) |
| Education | Washington College Academy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment Rough and Ready Guards |
| Battles/wars | Battle of New Bern Seven Days Battles |
A prolific writer and noted public speaker, Vance became one of the most influential Southern leaders of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era periods. As a leader of the New South, Vance favored the rapid modernization of the Southern economy, railroad expansion, school construction, and reconciliation with the North. In addition, he frequently spoke out against antisemitism. Considered progressive by many during his lifetime, Vance was also a slave owner and is now regarded as a racist by some modern historians and biographers.