Nathaniel Macon
North Carolina Jeffersonian who served as Speaker of the House and later as president pro tempore of the Senate.
Overview
Macon entered the House in 1791 and served there until 1815, presiding as Speaker from 1801 to 1807 during Thomas Jefferson's presidency. A strict constructionist and champion of frugal government, he drifted toward the Old Republican faction led by his friend John Randolph and opposed tariffs, internal improvements, and a strong national bank. He moved to the Senate in 1815, served as its president pro tempore in the late 1820s, and retired in 1828. Admired even by opponents for his plain manners and personal integrity, he is the namesake of Macon, Georgia, and several counties across the South.
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