DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828) was one of the nation's strongest political leaders in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, serving as mayor of New York City, governor of the state, and narrowly losing the Presidential campaign of 1812 to James Madison. Patrician in his sentiments, Clinton nevertheless invented new forms of party politics. His greatest achievement, the Erie Canal, hastened the economic expansion of the country, altered the political geography of the nation, set an example for activist government, and decisively secured New York City's position as America's first and foremost metropolis. While mayor, Clinton's role in founding the city's public school system was only the most significant of his many contributions to learning. An amateur scientist of international renown, he wrote essays on geology, botany, entomology, archaeology, anthropology, and ichthyology. This book relates in vivid detail the biography of one of the most important--and most interesting--political figures in US history.