Historical Trivia for a Star #1

[RoyGBiv]

The following is a historical trivia quiz. The first DUer without a star to answer correctly will have a donation to DU made in their user name, earning them a star. Members already having stars may play if they choose, provided they send me a private message upon confirmation of a correct answer giving me the name of a non-starred DUer they would like to have a star.

Who am I?

I was not born in the United States, and I did not die there, although the accomplishments for which I am most well known all occurred while a citizen of that country. I was once and by some still am considered a traitor. I was a successful lawyer and sugar planter who owned over 100 slaves, and am claimed by some to have been the first Jewish member of the US Congress, even thought that isn't quite true. While a Senator, I once challenged Jefferson Davis to a duel, but he declined after issuing an apology for the offense that instigated the quarrel. Davis would later allow me to be censured, then promptly have me appointed to a prestigous position within my government.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Judah Benjamin

Though it wasn't his home, the Gamble Mansion in Ellenton, FL was restored by the Daughters of the Confederacy as a memorial to Benjamin.

My grandmother lived in the area as a young girl, and remembered walking by the mansion as it deteriorated. I visited the home with her when I was a teenager. It was touching to watch her relive faded memories of her childhood. Her mother had died when Gramma was an infant; and her father was killed in a wagon accident when she was 8. After that, she went to live with her aunt in Alabama.

[RoyGBiv]

2. Ding!!!

Thank goodness. I intentionally made these harder than the last time, but I was starting to think I made them too hard.

Glad you were around at the time they were posted.

FWIW, David Levy Yulee was the actual first Jewish member of Congress, but he was not widely acknowledges as such at the time of his election. Benjamin was open about his religion and bore the brunt of prejudice for it. The offense that almost resulted in a duel with Davis was, if I'm remembering correctly, a slur against Jews.

PM me with the person you want to be starred, or you can post it here if you'd rather.