Collection Highlights
Balustrade from Federal Hall, New York
1788-1789
1884.3
Painted wrought iron
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Button
Object name
Button
Medium
metal
Dimensions
Overall: 1 x 1 x 1 in. ( 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm )
Description
Judah P. Benjamin Centennial
Object Number
INV.2448
Gallery Label
One of the few Jewish people to achieve high political rank in the early history of our country, Judah Benjamin (1811-1884) served under Confederate President Jefferson Davis as Attorney General, Secretary of War and Secretary of State. A biographer notes: "He served Davis as his Sephardic ancestors had served the kings of Europe...as a kind of court Jew to the Confederacy. An insecure [President Davis] was able to trust him completely because...no Jew could ever challenge him for leadership."
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
