Eli M. Saulsbury

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = Eli M. Saulsbury
honorific-suffix =

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imagesize =
small

office = U. S. Senator from Delaware
term_start = March 4 1871
term_end = March 3 1889
predecessor = Willard Saulsbury, Sr.
successor = Anthony Higgins
birth_date = birth date|1817|12|29|mf=y
birth_place = Kent County, Delaware
death_date = death date and age|1893|3|22|1817|12|29
death_place = Dover, Delaware
spouse =
party = Democratic
residence = Dover, Delaware
alma_mater = Dickinson College
occupation =
profession = lawyer
religion =

Eli May Saulsbury (December 29 1817 – March 22 1893) was a lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Saulsbury was born December 29 1817 in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County Delaware, son of William & Margaret Ann Smith Saulsbury. He was the middle brother of Governor Gove Saulsbury and U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury, Sr.. Saulsbury was educated at Dickinson College, studied law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1857, and began his practice in Dover Delaware, where he lived.

Political career

Saulsbury served one term in the State House, during the 1853/54 session. In 1870 he successfully challenged his younger brother, incumbent U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury, Sr. for his seat in the U.S. Senate. He went on to win three full terms, but was defeated in an attempt for a fourth term by Republican candidate Anthony Higgins. He was in office from March 4 1871 until March 3 1889, and served on the Committee on Privileges and Elections in the 46th Congress, and the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the 47th Congress through the 50th Congress.

Death and legacy

Saulsbury died March 22 1893 in Dover Delaware, and is buried in the Silver Lake Cemetery, also in Dover.

Public offices

Elections are held the first week of November. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the first week of January. The State House has a term of two years. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office the first week of March, and served for a six year term.