Remembering History: Cassius Clay died in 1903 at 92. A native of Kentucky, he was second cousin to Henry Clay. Though born into a slave-holding family, Cassius Clay freed his own slaves and was a strident abolitionist. He published the only anti-slavery newspaper in the South. Clay was considered for the 1860 Republican VP nomination, and he campaigned hard for Lincoln. As ambassador to Russia, he was instrumental in the purchase of Alaska. Before changing his name, boxer Muhammed Ali had been named for him.

Cassius Clay died in 1903 at 92. A native of Kentucky, he was second cousin to Henry Clay. Though born into a slave-holding family, Cassius Clay freed his own slaves and was a strident abolitionist. He published the only anti-slavery newspaper in the South. Clay was considered for the 1860 Republican VP nomination, and he campaigned hard for Lincoln. As ambassador to Russia, he was instrumental in the purchase of Alaska. Before changing his name, boxer Muhammed Ali had been named for him.

Cassius Clay died in 1903 at 92. A native of Kentucky, he was second cousin to Henry Clay. Though born into a slave-holding family, Cassius Clay freed his own slaves and was a strident abolitionist. He published the only anti-slavery newspaper in the South. Clay was considered for the 1860 Republican VP nomination, and he campaigned hard for Lincoln. As ambassador to Russia, he was instrumental in the purchase of Alaska. Before changing his name, boxer Muhammed Ali had been named for him.