Clinton, George

Clinton, George (1739-1812), fourth vice-president of the United States. Clinton was born in Little Britain, New York, July 26, 1739. Following service in the French and Indian War, he entered politics and was elected to the provincial assembly of New York. In 1775 he became a delegate to the Continental Congress. A brigadier general in the American War of Independence, he was prevented by his military duties from signing the Declaration of Independence. In 1777 he was elected the first governor of New York State, a position he held until 1795 and again from 1801 to 1804. As an antifederalist, he was a strong advocate of state sovereignty and unsuccessfully opposed ratification of the United States Constitution at the 1788 state convention. Clinton was twice elected US vice-president: in 1804, serving under Thomas Jefferson, and in 1808, under James Madison. He died on April 20, 1812, shortly before the completion of his second term; he was the first US vice-president to die in office.