Public Figure Profiles

Benjamin Butler

Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American major general of the Union Army, politician, lawyer and businessman from Massachusetts. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, Butler is best known as a political major general of the Union Army during the American Civil War, and for his leadership role in the impeachment of U.S. President Andrew Johnson. He was a colorful and often controversial figure on the national stage and in the Massachusetts political scene and ran several campaigns for governor before his election to that office in 1882.

Butler, a successful trial lawyer, served in the Massachusetts legislature as an antiwar Democrat and as an officer in the state militia. Early in the Civil War he joined the Union Army, where he was noted for his lack of military skill, and his controversial command of New Orleans, which brought him wide dislike in the South and the "Beast" epithet. He helped create the legal idea of effectively freeing fugitive slaves by designating them as contraband of war in service of military objectives, which led to a political groundswell in the North which included general emancipation and the end of slavery as official war goals. His commands were marred by financial and logistical dealings across enemy lines, some of which probably took place with his knowledge and to his financial benefit.

Butler was dismissed from the Union Army after his failures in the First Battle of Fort Fisher, but soon won election to the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts. As a Radical Republican he opposed President Johnson's Reconstruction agenda, and was the House's lead manager in the Johnson impeachment trial proceedings. As Chairman of the House Committee on Reconstruction, Butler authored the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and coauthored the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1875.

In Massachusetts, Butler was often at odds with more conservative members of the political establishment over matters of both style and substance. Feuds with Republican politicians led to his being denied several nominations for the governorship between 1858 and 1880. Returning to the Democratic fold, he won the governorship in the 1882 election with Democratic and Greenback Party support. He ran for president on the Greenback ticket in 1884.

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Some of their strengths

Benjamin Butler has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Independent, Passionate, Intuitive, Altruistic, Analytical, Innovative, and Honest.

Intense and Passionate

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Benjamin Butler is someone who is an intense, passionate, and intuitive person who is fiercely independent, authentic and direct when engaging with others. A person who is known for being a good partner.

Passionate and Intense

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Benjamin Butler well know them as someone who can be passionate, proud, and intense, like the sun or a blazing fire.

Active and Ambitious

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Benjamin Butler as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.

A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.

Wise and Deep

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Benjamin Butler is someone who tends to have an internal innate wisdom, and who people tend to see as an "old soul".

They are also someone who is mysterious, intuitive, and diplomatic, and who has a keen intuition, charisma, and a focus on balance and partnership.

Mysterious and Methodical

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Benjamin Butler tends to be someone who can come across as mysterious and intense, who can be a complex thinker who is methodical and intuitive, and who can overcome challenges that most others would not be able to.

Some of Benjamin Butler's challenges

While Benjamin Butler has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Benjamin Butler can be Rebellious, Stubborn, Complicated, Brusque, Emotionally Distant, Idle, and Impulsive.

Complicated and Brusque

One of Benjamin Butler's key challenges is that they are someone who can be complicated and gruff with others.

Benjamin Butler must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs, and can be short-tempered and aggressive.

Impulsive and Aggressive

Benjamin Butler is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.

Sensitive and Aggressive

Finally, Benjamin Butler also can be too "touchy-feely", have a hard time expressing feelings, be too aggressive and headstrong, and be too unforgiving of others' mistakes.

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