Gove Saulsbury graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and established himself as a prominent figure in Delaware's political and medical landscapes. He served in the Delaware State Senate and later became Governor of Delaware, where he was known for his conservative stance and opposition to civil rights advancements. Saulsbury also contributed to the founding of Wesley College in Dover, demonstrating his commitment to education. His professional background in medicine and political leadership provides a solid foundation for his public service career.

Gove Saulsbury's political identity is marked by a staunchly conservative stance on slavery and civil rights, opposing key amendments aimed at ending slavery and extending rights to African Americans. His rhetoric often framed governance through a lens of white supremacy, as evidenced by his vehement opposition to the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. Saulsbury's legislative record reveals a calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests, aligning with opposing factions on environmental regulations in surprising ways.