Edward Coles Politician

Edward Coles (December 15, 1786 – July 7, 1868) was a neighbor and anti-slavery associate of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, as well as secretary to James Madison (1810 to 1815), and the second Governor of Illinois (1822 to 1826). An anti-slavery advocate throughout his adult life, and who inherited a plantation and slaves, Coles left Virginia for the Illinois Territory in order to set them free. He manumitted his slaves in 1819, and twice led political campaigns that prevented the legitimization of slavery in the new state of Illinois. Coles corresponded with and advised both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to free their slaves, and in his final years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania helped shape early historians' views of their republican ideals.

Personal facts

Birth date	December 15, 1786
Birth place	Virginia , Albemarle County Virginia
Date of death	July 07, 1868
Place of death	Pennsylvania , Philadelphia
Education	College of William & Mary