William H. Seward

William Henry Seward (1801–1872) was an American statesman who served as governor of New York, U.S. senator and, from 1861 to 1869, the 24th U.S. Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. In Alaska he is remembered as the negotiator of the 1867 treaty by which the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million [1][2].

Early Career

Seward served in the New York State Senate from 1831 to 1834, as the 12th governor of New York from 1839 to 1842, and as a U.S. senator from New York from 1849 to 1861 [1].

Secretary of State

He served as the 24th U.S. Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869 under Lincoln and Johnson. He was praised for Civil War diplomacy that helped deter Britain and France from recognizing the Confederacy. In 1865 he was wounded in the plot that killed Lincoln, and his wife, Frances, died that year [1].

The Alaska Purchase

Seward negotiated with the Russian diplomat Eduard de Stoeckl. The treaty was signed at 4:00 a.m. on March 30, 1867, after an all-night session in Washington. The price was $7.2 million, about two cents per acre, and the Senate ratified it on April 9, 1867, by a vote of 37 to 2. U.S. sovereignty took effect on October 18, 1867, at a ceremony in Sitka [2].

Why Russia Sold

Russia had lost the Crimean War, found its Alaskan colony hard to defend against Britain, saw its sea otter population collapse and needed money [2]. See the entry on the Treaty of Cession.

Seward’s Folly

Critics called the purchase “Seward’s Folly” and “Seward’s Icebox,” arguing the United States had bought useless land. The 586,412-square-mile territory later proved valuable for its fish, gold, timber and oil [2].

Later Years and Legacy

Seward supported Johnson during Johnson’s impeachment and was nicknamed the Sage of Auburn. He died on October 10, 1872, in Auburn, New York, aged 71 [1]. The Alaska city of Seward, the Seward Peninsula and the Seward Highway bear his name. See also the entries on the Alaska Purchase and the Territory of Alaska.

FAQs

Who was William H. Seward? The U.S. Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska.

How much did Alaska cost? $7.2 million, about two cents per acre.

What was Seward’s Folly? A critical nickname for the Alaska Purchase.

When was the treaty signed? March 30, 1867.

Which Alaska places honor Seward? The city of Seward, the Seward Peninsula and the Seward Highway.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: William H. Seward
2. Wikipedia: Alaska Purchase

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue