Although he held only a few minor offices, American politician Thurlow Weed (1797-1882) was a leading figure in the Whig party and later in the Republican party. He was a master behind-the-scenes manipulator and a skilled lobbyist.

Thurlow Weed was born in Greene County, N.Y., on Nov. 15, 1797. His farm family was so impoverished that he had to begin working at the age of 8. Except for a few years of primary schooling, he was self-educated. After serving as apprentice and journeyman on several newspapers, he became foreman of the Albany Register and in 1821 moved to Rochester as editor of the Telegraph. In 1822 he married Catherine Ostrander.

Weed soon made the Telegraph one of the most important newspapers in western New York; he became part owner in 1825. His strong anti-Jackson feelings led him to participate in the Anti-Masonic party, whose leaders helped him establish the Albany Evening Journal in...