Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Graduate of Harvard in 1811. Appointed professor of Greek at Harvard 1815 to 1826. Studied theology and was ordained a pastor in the Unitarian Church.

Elected to the House of Representatives in 1824 and served March 4, 1825. to March 3, 1835. Elected Governor of Massachusetts and served 1836 to 1840. Appointed U. S. minister to Great Britain. Appointed Secretary of State and served November 6, 1852, to March 3, 1853. Elected to the Senate and served March 4, 1853, to June 1, 1854. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President in 1860.

He delivered the principal address November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The world will little note nor long remember what he said there. A few brief comments by President Lincoln are better remembered.

He died in Boston.

Everett appears on paper money:

$50 Silver Certificate, series of 1878, 1880 and 1891

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; Limpert; NCAB 6; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H