"He was a congressman, governor of Massachusetts, and vice president of the United States: Elbridge Gerry. Born in 1744 and one of the signers of our nation's Declaration of Independence, he is remembered as the progenitor and namesake of corrupt line-drawing of congressional and other legislative districts. Most readers probably know the story. In 1812, while serving as governor, he approved a redistricting that favored the Republicans at the expense of the Federalists."
"By at least one account, he was angry at the Federalists for criticizing the foreign policies of his ally, President James Madison. The hometown reaction, however, was swift. The Boston Gazette conjured up a crazy looking cartoon that resembled a salamander, and pejoratively called it a Gerry-mander. Perhaps he had the last laugh Madison rewarded Gerry a few months later by making him Vice President. Yet, over 200 years later, it is only the Gazette's characterization that most Americans associate with him."
"He pronounced his own name with a g as in Gary. The very least we can do is honor his memory by saying his name correctly! More importantly, Gerry should be lauded for being a staunch patriot who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He worked tirelessly in Philadelphia to ensure that the new country had a strong national government to replace the unpopular, failing confederation then in existence."
Elbridge Gerry (born 1744) served as congressman, governor of Massachusetts, and vice president. He signed the Declaration of Independence and later approved an 1812 redistricting that advantaged Republicans over Federalists, provoking the Boston Gazette's Gerry-mander cartoon. He pronounced his name with a hard g. He attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787, advocated for a strong national government while protecting state prerogatives and individual liberties, and refused to sign the final Constitution because he believed it failed to sufficiently protect individual rights. President James Madison later appointed him Vice President.
Read at www.amny.com
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