Robert H. Cleary (Napoleon's World)

Robert Hamish Cleary (July 2, 1805-June 7, 1878) was an American politician and lawyer best known for serving two terms as Vice President from 1853-1861 under George Adams. Prior to and after the Vice Presidency, Cleary was the Nationalist Governor of Wisconsin. Cleary was the first man of Irish ancestry to serve in the executive branch, and his appointment was met with serious opposition, and Cleary was also barely approved. However, as an Irish Protestant and not a Catholic, many Senators were willing to give him a chance, leading to the famous phrase, "Well at least the mick's not a papist."