Rufus King (1755 – 1827) was an American Founding Father, diplomat, and politician who signed the U.S. Constitution and served as a U.S. senator and ambassador to Britain. A Federalist leader, he was the party’s last presidential nominee in 1816.
Born in Massachusetts, King studied law before serving in the Revolutionary War. He became a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a key role at the Constitutional Convention, advocating for a strong central government. In 1788, he moved to New York, where he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
As a staunch Federalist, King opposed slavery and supported national economic policies. He served as minister to Britain under multiple administrations, strengthening U.S.-British relations. Though he ran for vice president twice and president in 1816, he was defeated as Federalist influence declined.
King returned to the Senate in 1813, continuing his advocacy against slavery. In 1825, President John Quincy Adams reappointed him as minister to Britain, but declining health forced his retirement. His legacy as a constitutional architect and early anti-slavery voice remains significant in American history.