The Great Triumvirate is a term that refers to the three statesmen who dominated the United States Senate in the 1830s and 1840s, namely: Henry Clay of Kentucky, Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. All three were distinguished orators and debaters. The term triumvirate (Latin for rule by three men) or troika in Russian, is commonly used to describe an alliance between three equally powerful political or military leaders. ... Seal of the Senate The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States, the other being the House of Representatives. ... Henry Clay Henry Clay (April 12, 1777 in Hanover County, Virginia – June 29, 1852 in Washington, D.C.) was an American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and Senate. ... Daniel Webster Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 24, 1852) was a United States Senator and Secretary of State. ... John C. Calhoun John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850), was a prominent United States politician of the first half of the 19th century. ...

Traditionally, Clay has been described as the most animated of the three. His passionate delivery and flamboyant mannerisms captured the attention of his audience and made his words memorable. Webster has been described as the erudite one, especially in vocabulary. His seamless delivery of words made his speeches powerful. Calhoun has been described as the intellectual of the group, delivering speeches with great substance.

These statesmen not only possessed their own unique styles and strengths, but also represented a rough three-way division of political ideologies. Clay was a pro-Union moderate who wished to see compromise win the day. Webster, though no confrontationalist, was a staunch supporter of the Union who represented a nationalist ideology. Calhoun was the fiery states' rights advocate who sought to limit federal clout as much as possible.

The time these three men spent in the Senate represents a time of rising political pressure in the United States, especially concerning the matter of slavery. During these two decades, the Great Triumvirate was responsible for symbolizing the opposing viewpoints of the American people and giving them a voice in the legislative arena. The Buxton Memorial Fountain, celebrating the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, London. ...

All three men were born within five years of each other, and died within three years of each other.

The Great Triumvirate also refers to the three leading British golfers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Harry Vardon, John Henry Taylor, and James Braid. Harry Vardon born May 9, 1870 in Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands – died March 20, 1937 in Totteridge, Hertfordshire, England, was a champion golfer. ... John Henry Taylor (March 19, 1871 - 1963) was one of the pioneers of the modern game of golf. ... James Braid ( February 6, 1870 - November 27, 1950) was a Scottish professional golfer, who was one of the Great Triumvirate of British golfers in the early 20th century alongside Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor. ...