David Rice Atchison

Biography

David Rice Atchison (1807-1886) served Missouri with distinction as a U.S. senator, including time as president pro tempore, and became a central figure in the national debate over Kansas’s future. He forged a reputation as a passionate advocate for his constituents, championing their rights during a fraught era, and he later took quiet solace in his home near Plattsburg.

Contemporaries recall Atchison as a man of formidable intellect who faced every challenge with conviction, even when his stances drew controversy. His love for the frontier and its promise remained unwavering, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to public life in the midst of a transforming republic.