CORWIN, THOMAS American statesman and orator, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., on July 29, 1794. In 1798 his father, Matthias Corwin (1761-1829), removed to what later became Lebanon, O., where the son worked on a farm, read much, and in 1817 was admitted to the bar. As an advocate he was at once successful, but after 183i he devoted his attention chiefly to politics, identifying himself first with the Whig and after 1858 with the Republican Party. He was a member of the National House of Representatives in 1831-4o; governor of Ohio in 1840-42; served in the United States Senate 1845-50; was secretary of the Treasury in the cabinet of President Fillmore in 1850-53; was again a member of the National House of Representatives in 1859-61. As a legislator he spoke seldom, but always with great ability, his most famous speech being that of Feb. 1847 opposing the Mexican War. He died at Washing ton, D.C., Dec. 18, 1865.
See the Life and Speeches of Thomas Corwin (Cincinnati, 1896), edited by Josiah IVIorrow; and an excellent character sketch, Thomas Corwin (Cincinnati, 1881), by A. P. Russell. See also L. Belle Hamlin (ed.), "Selections from the William Greene Papers, Letters of Thos. Corwin to William Greene, 1841-51," Hist. and Philos. Soc. of Ohio, Surv. Publ., vol. xiii., No. (1918).