Frederick Muhlenberg

Pennsylvania pastor who became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Overview

Muhlenberg, a Lutheran minister from a prominent Pennsylvania family, presided over the launch of the federal government as Speaker of the first and third Congresses, 1789 to 1791 and 1793 to 1795. As presiding officer before the speakership matured into a leadership post, he set early precedents for procedure and neutrality, though he voted to break ties. His decisive vote in 1790 helped place the national capital on the Potomac. A famous legend that German almost became America's official language traces to a 1795 vote on translating laws into German, which he broke as Speaker. He later served as president of the Pennsylvania council.