Daniel D. Tompkins

Who was Daniel D. Tompkins?

Daniel D. Tompkins was the fourth Governor of New York, and the sixth Vice President of the United States.

A jurist by background, he was notable as one of the most enterprising governors in the War of 1812. To help organize the state militia, he often invested his own capital when the legislature would not approve the necessary funds. After the war, he failed to recover these massive loans, despite endless litigation, which took a toll on his health, and induced the alcoholism that affected his performance as Vice President.