“P” is for Poinsett, Joel Roberts [1779-1851]. Congressman, diplomat, U.S. secretary of war. A Charleston native, Poinsett was educated in England, Connecticut and Scotland. After serving in the General Assembly, he won a seat in Congress. In 1825, President Monroe appointed him the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. His meddling in local politics made him unpopular and he was recalled in 1830. He brought back with him a red-leafed Mexican plant that was named the poinsettias in his honor. In the 1830s, he was a leading Unionist and staunch supporter of President Andrew Jackson. In 1837, he was named Secretary of War and presided over the removal of thousands of Indians from east of the Mississippi. In 1844 Joel Roberts Poinsett was elected president of the National Institute, a forerunner of the Smithsonian Institution.
“P” is for Poinsett, Joel Roberts
