1927. The story of Fremont is told in these pages. The magnetic and legendary Pathfinder became a national hero for his trailblazing exploits in the Far West. He was instrumental in taking California away from Mexico, served as one of the state's first senators, and made his fortune during the Gold Rush. Fremont's popularity and his antislavery position made him the Republican Party's first presidential nominee in 1856. The youngest man yet to run for the office. His loss to James Buchanan is largely attributed to the threat by the Southern states to secede if he were elected. He was the most celebrated general appointed by Lincoln. His major contribution to the Civil War was to focus the Union on the role emancipation should play in the North's war policy. His reputation and finances suffered in later years, but he resumed his political career and served as territorial governor of Arizona.