Horace Greeley's Birthplace and other Amherst, NH Things to Do Tips

Horace Greeley was born in this house in Amherst in 1811. The son of a farmer, he left school at 14 to try his luck in New York City. He ultimately became an editor of the New York Tribune, one of New York's largest newspapers. In this position, he was an outspoken opponent of slavery and a strong supporter of Western expansion. Although, he didn't originate the phrase "Go West Young Man", he is widely associated with it. In the 1850s, Greeley became on of the early supporters of the Republican Party. He later left the party and unsuccessfully ran for President of the US in 1872 as the nominee of the new (and short-lived) Liberal Republican Party. He died shortly after the election in 1872.

The Greeley birthplace is now a privately-owned home and not open to visitors. There is, however, a plaque outside of it.

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Directions: On Horace Greeley Road north of the center of Amherst

AMherst was formerly the county seat of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. The old county court house still stands next to the town green in Amherst. Daniel Webster, one of the most powerful politicians in the United States in the early and mid-1800s, began his career here as a lawyer. He later moved to Massachusetts and became a US. Representative and Senator, and also ran unsuccessfully for US President. Ironically, he twice turned down offers to be Vice President of the United States. In both situations, the Presidents (Harrison and Taylor) died in office and Webster would have become President.

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