Solomon Foot was born in Cornwall on this day in 1802. Foot would go on to become one of Vermont’s best known Senators, representing Vermont for 19 years.

His family, and the generations before him, was known for its devotion to justice.

Foot settled in Rutland and took up law. It wasn’t long before he was representing Rutland in the Legislature.

In 1842, Foot became a member of Congress. As Congress entered a special session in July of 1861, in the face of the Civil War. Foot was unanimously elected as president of Congress, staying through the 37th and part of the 38th Congress.

Historic image courtesy Vermont Historical Society