John C. Calhoun (1782–1850) was a significant participant in American public life, starting in 1810 when he was elected to the House of Representatives from South Carolina. As Calhoun and other young members took control of the House of Representatives, Calhoun quickly became Speaker Henry Clay’s floor leader and ably carried out his duties of persuasion among representatives in order to get legislation moved through committees and to votes. Calhoun later served as vice president of the United States under two presidents, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. He also served as secretary of state in 1844–45 under President John Tyler. Along with Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, two other U.S. Senators who also served as secretary of state, Calhoun was considered part of an enduring trio of American statesmen known as the Great Triumvirate.