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Elbridge Gerry, (born July 17, 1744, Marblehead, Massachusetts [U.S.]—died November 23, 1814, Washington, D.C., U.S.), signer of the American Declaration of Independence and fifth vice president of the United States (1813–14) in the second term of Pres. James Madison. From his name the term gerrymander later was derived.

Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts. Gerry was born in 1744 at Marblehead, MA, the third of 12 children. His mother was the daughter of a Boston merchant; his father, a wealthy and politically active merchant-shipper who had once been a sea captain. Upon graduating from Harvard in 1762, Gerry joined his father and two brothers in the family business ...

Elbridge Gerry was defeated for re-election in 1812, but to honor his “good work” and to balance the ticket with a Northerner, the Republicans nominated him for vice president. Gerry received word of his selection in June shortly before the Congress declared war on Great Britain.

Elbridge Gerry. Birth. 17 Jul 1744. Marblehead, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. Death. 23 Nov 1814 (aged 70) Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA. Burial. Congressional Cemetery.

Elbridge Gerry, the governor who signed the bill creating the misshapen Massachusetts district, was a Founding Father: signer of the Declaration of Independence, reluctant framer of the...

Elbridge Gerry was a true patriot who played a significant role in America’s struggle to establish its independent identity, ideology and authority. Before becoming the fifth Vice President of the United States, under President James Madison, he served at several other high profile posts with great finesse. His illustrious political portfolio ...

Today, Elbridge Gerry is best known for being the force and namesake behind “Gerrymandering.” That has obscured the significance of a founder who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and later ascended to the Vice Presidency.

Elbridge Gerry did run for reelection as Massachusetts governor in 1812 and lost to Caleb Strong. That was in March. Later in the same year, he was a candidate for Vice President of the U.S., and his ticket won. But Massachusetts voted against him again.