Henry Clay By adamdahill Apr 12, 1777 Birth Born in the district known as "the Slashes," Hanover County, Va. Jan 1, 1797 Studied law in Richmond, Va. ; admitted to the bar in 1797 1797 Jan 1, 1803 Member of the state house of representatives 1803 Jan 1, 1803 Elected as a democratic republic to the united states senate 1803 May 1, 1812 Speaker of the house 1812 May 1, 1812 Leader of the Warhawks 1812 May 1, 1814 Negotiates treaty of Ghent 1814 May 1, 1820 Missouri compromise 1820 May 1, 1833 Tariff Compromise 1833 May 1, 1850 The Compromise of 1850 1850 May 1, 2017 Leader of the Whig party May 1, 2017 Five time unsuccessful presidential candidate