Preston King (politician)

Preston King
Photograph of King by Mathew Brady, c. 1855–1865.
United States Senator from New York
In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1863
Preceded by	Hamilton Fish
Succeeded by	Edwin D. Morgan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 18th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	Thomas C. Chittenden
Succeeded by	William Collins
In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	William Collins
Succeeded by	Peter Rowe
Member of the New York State Assembly from St. Lawrence County
In office January 1, 1835 – December 31, 1838
Personal details
Born	(1806-10-14)October 14, 1806 Ogdensburg, New York
Died	November 12, 1865(1865-11-12) (aged 59) New York Harbor, New York City, New York
Political party	Democrat (1830–1847) Free Soil (1847–1853) Republican (1855–1863)

Preston King (October 14, 1806 – November 12, 1865) was an American attorney and politician who represented New York in the United States Senate from 1857 to 1863. King also represented the North Country in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms and represented his native St. Lawrence County in the New York State Assembly for four terms. King entered politics as an ally of Martin Van Buren and was a lifelong opponent of slavery as a member of the Democratic, Free Soil, and Republican parties.

On November 12, 1865, King drowned himself in New York Harbor while serving as Collector of the Port of New York. He was appointed to that highly influential patronage position by his close friend and political ally, President Andrew Johnson, in an effort to unify support for Johnson's presidency and reduce corruption but despaired of success.