Frederick Muhlenberg: the first speaker - News Block

A portrait of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first and third Speaker of the House of Representatives, seated in a chair dressed as a 19th century gentleman. — Frederick August Conrad Mühlenberg

Today, the Speaker of the House has a bad reputation. As the leader of the House of Representatives, the Speaker is responsible for everything the House does. Both good and bad. But Frederick Muhlenberg, the first and third speakers, was not nearly as controversial as his modern counterparts.

A member of the now-defunct Pro-Administration Party, and later the Anti-Administration Party and its successor, the Democratic-Republican Party, Muhlenberg codified many of the traditions that the Speaker still follows and was beloved by allies and rivals alike.

Early life

continental congress

Spokesman

Later life and death

About the author of the post

leonard burgess

As a child, Leonard Burgess was fascinated by politics. At the age of 13 he wrote his first political article, years later he continues in his passion.