DemocratVice President · Pennsylvania
George M. Dallas
1845 first electedLeft office 18494 years servedBorn 1792 in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDied 1864
Biography
George Mifflin Dallas (1792–1864) was a Pennsylvania lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as Vice President under James K. Polk from 1845 to 1849. Before that, he had a varied career including serving as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, Mayor of Philadelphia, U.S. Attorney, and Minister to Russia. As Vice President, he was a strong advocate for territorial expansion (aligning with Polk's expansionist agenda, including the annexation of Texas), and his tie-breaking vote in the Senate helped lower tariffs via the Walker Tariff of 1846. After his vice presidency, he served as U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom under President Franklin Pierce.
Additional Info
Spouse
Sophia Nicklin (m. 1816)
Prior Offices
United States Minister to the United Kingdom, United States Minister to Russia, 17th Attorney General of Pennsylvania, United States Senator from Pennsylvania, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 58th Mayor of Philadelphia
Fun Fact
Despite being one of the more obscure vice presidents historically, his name lives on prominently — the city of Dallas, Texas, is widely believed to have been named after him in 1846, making him one of the few VPs to have a major American city bear his name.
Election History
No election records found in the database yet.