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Every city has its own unique history, as well as its namesake. This is the story of who the city of Burlingame is named after.
His name is Anson Burlingame.
Born Nov. 14, 1820, in New Berlin, New York, his parents moved to Ohio three years later. Subsequently, the family relocated to Michigan.
He went to the University of Michigan and then to Harvard Law School.
While practicing law in Boston, he won wide notoriety for his speeches. His reputation won him public support and helped him to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. Serving from 1855 – 1861, he played a key role in organizing the Republican Party.
In March 1861, President Lincoln appointed Burlingame Minister to the Austrian Empire. However, he did not serve.
In June the same year Lincoln appointed Burlingame as Minister to the Qing Empire. His diplomatic efforts therein were considered quite successful.
In November of 1867, as he was preparing to retire and return home, the Chinese government (which had been observing his diplomatic prowess) tapped him to head the Chinese Diplomatic Mission to the United States and principal European nations.
In July 1868, what became known as the “Burlingame Treaty” was concluded. This allowed Chinese subjects to enjoy the exact status of most favored nations.
Burlingame also worked successfully to include a clause that gave the Chinese a path to citizenship.
Later, he negotiated treaties with Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Prussia.
On Feb. 23, 1870, while he was negotiating a treaty with Russia in St. Petersburg, he suddenly passed away. He was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
Anson Burlingame is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Everything else is just history
Very interesting. I wonder why the city was named for him when he never lived here or possibly never even visited here. Strange!
He was a bigot who was elected on the anti-immigrant Know Nothing party ticket. The less said about him the better.