Henry Clay Simpson

H. Clay Simpson, a native of Lexington, Kentucky is a direct descendent of Henry Clay and honorary Trustee of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation. He studied history at the University of North Carolina (AB) and international business at Columbia University Graduate School of Business (MBA).

In 2001, his first book was published by Harmony House in Louisville, KY, based upon previously unpublished Henry Clay family papers which were transcribed with the assistance of Dr. Melba Hay and the University of Kentucky Libraries. It was a biography of his great-grandmother, "Josephine Clay: Pioneer Horsewoman of the Bluegrass." Now in paperback, the book was featured in an award winning exhibit: "Kentucky Bloodlines: The Legacy of Henry Clay" at the Kentucky Horse Park. A 30 minute documentary film about the story was produced by Post Time Media in Lexington is being shown on Kentucky Educational Television. He received the Award of Merit in 2005 from the Kentucky Historical Society.

A second book, "Colonel William H. Russell, Sir" tells the story of his great, great grandfather, an adventurous frontier lawyer, U.S. Marshal and California pioneer. It describes Colonel Russell's organization of the famous "Donner Party" and his role in the conquest of California as aide to Gov. John Fremont. He was appointed California's first Secretary of State. The book, coauthored by Diana S. Hough of Independence, MO., was introduced in October 2011 at Ashland, the estate of Henry Clay in Lexington, KY. Proceeds of book sales have been donated to the Ashland museum.

H. Clay Simpson lives in Hanover, NH and Greensboro, VT. where he serves as a Trustee of the Historical Society and its editorial board. He is a frequent contributor to Vermont's historical journal, "The Hazen Road Dispatch."