William Learned March was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts on December 12, 1786. A Democratic politician, he served as a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812. After serving in several public offices in New York State, he represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 1831-1833 before becoming the Governor of New York from 1833-1838. He later served under President James K. Polk as the Secretary of War from 1845-1849 and as Secretary of State for Presidents Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan from 1853-1857. He died in Ballston Spa, New York on July 4, 1857.