This Vermont country lawyer becomes a controversial U.S. Senator. It's the story of William Palmer.

William Palmer, Vermont's eleventh governor, was born on this day in 1781.

In his youth, he fell with an axe, permanently injuring one of his hands. Palmer, unable to perform manual labor, took up law. He moved to Danville and opened a practice.

He was active in Vermont politics, serving in a variety of posts including governor. When Palmer became Vermont's U.S. Senator, he spawned controversy by voting for the Missouri Compromise. Palmer, torn because he opposed slavery, did believe that "squatter sovereignty" was consistent with the Constitution.

Generous to a fault, Palmer died a poor man in Danville.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.

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