William Fitzhugh Gordon (January 13, 1787 – July 21, 1858) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia.[1] He was also a slave owner.[2][3]
William Fitzhugh Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 12th district | |
| In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Roane |
| Succeeded by | James Garland |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 10th district | |
| In office January 25, 1830 – March 3, 1833 | |
| Preceded by | William C. Rives |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Chinn |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Albemarle County | |
| In office December 7, 1818 – December 7, 1829 | |
| Preceded by | Jesse W. Garth |
| Succeeded by | Thomas W. Gilmer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 13, 1787 Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | July 21, 1858 (aged 71) Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Armistead C. Gordon (grandson) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Virginia Militia |
| Rank | Major general |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Early life
William Fitzhugh Gordon was born at "Germanna", a plantation near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He attended Spring Hill Academy and later studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1808.[4]
Career
Gordon commenced practicing law at Orange Court House, Virginia. He moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1809 to continue his practice and eventually became the city's commonwealth attorney in 1812. He served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general in the Virginia Militia. Gordon later became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from 1818 to 1829 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830. He was elected a Jacksonian to the United States House of Representatives to fill a vacancy in 1830, serving until 1835.[4] He earned the nickname "Sub-Treasury Gordon" for helping to devise the Sub-Treasury Act in 1844, an act that separated the federal government from banks.[5]
After being unsuccessful for reelection, Gordon engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a delegate to the Southern Convention in Nashville, Tennessee in 1850.[4] He served as a Democrat.[6]
Personal life
Armistead C. Gordon, lawyer and writer, was a grandson of Gordon.[5][citation needed]
Death
Gordon died at his plantation called "Edgeworth" in Albemarle County, Virginia on July 21, 1858. He was interred at the family cemetery in Springfield, Virginia.[4][6]
References
- ^ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Weil, Julie Zauzmer; Blanco, Adrian; Dominguez, Leo. "More than 1,700 congressmen once enslaved Black people. This is who they were, and how they shaped the nation". Washington Post. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Congress slaveowners, The Washington Post, January 27, 2022, retrieved January 29, 2022
- ^ a b c d "Gordon, William Fitzhugh". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "GEN. W.H GORDON AND HIS TIMES; An Interesting Biography of a Virginian of the Old School" (PDF). New York Times. February 12, 1910. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Death of Gen. Wm. F. Gordon". Richmond Enquirer. July 27, 1858. p. 1. Retrieved December 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- United States Congress. "William F. Gordon (id: G000319)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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