Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: John Cabell Breckinridge ( January 16 , 1821 -- May 17 , 1875 ) was a lawyer , Representative , Senator for the United States and the Vice President of the United States .
Simplified: John Cabell Breckinridge ( January 16 , 1821 -- May 17 , 1875 ) was an American lawyer and politician .