Joel Poinsett: A Diplomat for a Christmas Flower

An illustrated poinsettia by William Curtis, 1836, from Curtis's botanical magazine v.63. Public Domain

When one travels, a keepsake from the visited state, region, or country is always appropriate. Joel Poinsett (1779–1851) did a lot of traveling, and by the time of his death he was considered one of America’s most traveled persons. His excursions began at an early age.

Born in Charleston as the son of a wealthy physician, he moved to, lived, and was educated in England until he was about 9. Returning to America for two years, he attended an academy run by Timothy Dwight in Connecticut, and then returned to England. He received private tutoring in Wandsworth, a district in South London, and excelled in foreign languages. Over the next few years his interests vacillated between medical school, the military, and legal studies.

One interest that did not wane was botany. The young man’s passion for studying plants remained constant throughout his life. He moved from London to Edinburgh and finally back to Charleston, though he would not remain long.

By 1801, Poinsett set off again for Europe. Armed with the ability to speak French, Spanish, Italian, and German (and later Russian), he toured the continent, learning, taking in the sights, and making powerful friends, among them Napoleon Bonaparte and Czar Alexander I. His experience in far off places would greatly enable his later career as a diplomat.

A lithograph of Joel Roberts Poinsett, Secretary of War, by Charles Fenderich in 1838. Library of Congress. Public Domain

Going South

Around 1808, and as trouble brewed between Great Britain and America, Poinsett returned home to the United States. The young man had become a staunch republican. When he was assigned in 1810 as the U.S. trade envoy to Latin America, he began stirring up locals to agitate for independence.

He unsuccessfully tried to convince those in Buenos Aires to cede from Spain. In 1811, he went to Chile where he found more success. He helped organize a rebel army, but when it was crushed by Royalists in 1814, he fled home. His career in Latin America had not gone well, and his later return would not go much better.

Entering Politics

Although he had hoped for a military career, Poinsett decided to join the political game. He was elected to South Carolina’s General Assembly in 1816, and by 1819 he was president of the state’s Board of Public Works. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1821 and served until 1825, the same year President James Monroe appointed him U.S. Minister (Ambassador) to Mexico.

While a representative, he had actually visited Mexico in 1822 and 1823, writing extensively on the newly independent country in his “Notes on Mexico.” Mexico had fought to become a republic and had adopted a constitution (similar to that of the United States).

The Mexican Christmas Gift

Spurge family of flowering plants, in the order Malpighiales, containing some 7,500 species including the poinsettia flower. Public Domain

In four years, Poinsett had apparently become too intrusive in Mexican politics, for by 1829, the Mexican leaders succeeded in having him recalled. Poinsett returned, but he brought back something that would impact American culture, especially when it came to the Christmas holidays.

The diplomat had found a beautiful red plant that tended to blossom during the holiday months of November and December. He had first encountered the plant in Taxco, in the state of Guerrero, the year before he was recalled. The diplomat-botanist began to grow them in his greenhouse and then sent one to his friend, Robert Buist, a member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Buist exhibited the plant at a flower show in 1829, exported the flowers to Europe, and soon the Mexican flower became a household plant. Buist, in recognition of his friend’s discovery, named the plant “Euphorbia Poinsettia.”

Poinsett’s Further Endeavors

Poinsett went on to accomplish great things in the field of politics, science, and even in the military (that elusive career he had desired). In 1837, he was appointed the Secretary of War by President Martin Van Buren. He authorized a joint surveying expedition of the region between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It was led by French scientist Joseph Nicollet and American explorer John Frémont.

A letter from President Martin Van Buren nominating Joel Poinsett to be Secretary of War, March 7, 1837. Public Domain

Van Buren also authorized Poinsett to organize the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838–1842), which was the first circumnavigation of the globe sponsored by the United States and the last conducted by sail. The scientific expedition and its vast collections established the foundation for what would become the Smithsonian Institution.

Of all Poinsett’s accomplishments and memorable moments, however, none has been more infusive into American culture than when he brought home what is now known as the poinsettia. The holiday plant has long been part of traditional American Christmas decorations. Approximately 35 million poinsettias are sold each year, contributing around $250 million to the U.S. economy. A vast majority of these plants are sold during the six weeks before Christmas.

In 2002, Congress passed a resolution to make Dec. 12 National Poinsettia Day. The day is in honor of Poinsett’s death on Dec. 12, 1851.

The Christmas poinsettia from the Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection. Public Domain

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