Edward EverettEdward Everett (April 11, 1794 – January 15, 1865) was a Massachusetts politician, Unitarian minister, educator, diplomat, and orator. As a Whig, Everett served as a U.S. congressman, a U.S. senator, the 15th governor of Massachusetts, a minister to he United Kingdom, and the United States secretary of state. He also lectured and served as president of Harvard University. Everett was a notable American orator throughout the antebellum and Civil War eras. He is most known today as the principal orator at the Gettysburg National Cemetery dedication event in 1863, where he talked for over two hours—immediately before President Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic two-minute Gettysburg Address. Everett, the son of a clergyman, attended Harvard and temporarily preached at Boston's Brattle Street Church before accepting a teaching position at Harvard. Everett spent two years studying at the University of Göttingen and another two years traveling across Europe in preparation for the role, which included preparatory studies in Europe. He taught ancient Greek literature at Harvard for several years before embarking on a lengthy and well-known speaking career. He served in the United States Congress for ten years before being elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1835. As Governor, he established the first state Board of Education in the country. Read More Read Less