David Levy Yulee Senator

David Levy Yulee, born David Levy (born June 12, 1810 in Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands -– died October 10, 1886 in New York City) was an American politician and attorney of jewish moroccan origins from Florida, a territorial delegate to Congress, the first Jewish member of the United States Senate and a member of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War. He founded the Florida Railroad Company and served as president of several other companies, earning the nickname of "Father of Florida Railroads". In 2000 he was recognized as that year's "Great Floridian" by the state.Levy added Yulee to his name, the name of one of his moroccan ancestors, soon after his 1846 marriage to the daughter of ex-Governor Charles A. Wickliffe of Kentucky. Yulee became Christian and raised his children as Christians, was subject to antisemitism throughout his career. Yulee supported slavery and secession. He was imprisoned for nine months after the war as a prisoner of state at Fort Pulaski before being pardoned. He then returned to railroad building.

Personal facts

David Levy Yulee
Birth dateJune 12, 1810
Birth nameDavid Levy
Birth place
Charlotte Amalie United States Virgin Islands , Danish West Indies , United States Virgin Islands
Religion
Christianity
Judaism
Date of deathOctober 10, 1886
Place of death
New York City , United States
Profession
Lawyer , Politician

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