Austin Blair graduated from Union College and studied law, being admitted to the bar in New York in 1841. He moved to Michigan, where he began his political career as a Whig and later became a leading figure in the Free Soil and Republican parties. Blair served in the Michigan State House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, and as Governor of Michigan during the Civil War, where he actively supported Union efforts. After his tenure as governor, he represented Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives and later returned to private law practice.

Austin Blair's political journey reveals a commitment to progressive causes, particularly in his early abolition efforts and unwavering support for the Union during the Civil War. His departure from the Whig Party over its insufficient anti-slavery stance highlights a principled rigidity. During his governorship, Blair's calculated approach in supporting Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and raising Michigan troops demonstrates a strategic alignment with federal efforts while prioritizing regional military contributions.