Robert Livingston (politician)

Robert Livingston was an influential American politician and diplomat from New York, born in 1746. He served as a U.S. Congressman, a senator, and notably as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1801 to 1804 under President Thomas Jefferson. Livingston was instrumental in negotiating the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. He was also involved in the founding of the University of New York and held various legal and political positions. His contributions helped shape early U.S. foreign policy and absorption of new territories during the country's formative years.