Joel Roberts Poinsett was born in Charleston, South Carolina on March 2, 1779. After traveling throughout Europe and South America as as young man, he represented his native state in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1821-1825. He then served as the U.S. Minister to Mexico from 1825-1829. During President Martin Van Buren's term he served as the Secretary of War from 1837-1841. He died in Stateburg, South Carolina on December 12, 1851.