John A. Quitman

American politician (1798-1858)

John Anthony Quitman (September 1, 1798 – July 17, 1858)[1] was an American who was a lawyer, politician, and soldier. He briefly acted as the Governor of Mississippi in 1835. Later, he became the Governor of Mississippi from 1849 to 1851, but he quit after being arrested for breaking the law. He was very supportive of slavery and was a leader among those who wanted to separate from the United States. He cared more about being famous in the military and politics than taking care of his plantations and slaves, according to his biographer John F. H. Claiborne.[2][3]

John Quitman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Mississippi's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1855 – July 17, 1858
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byJohn McRae
10th and 16th Governor of Mississippi
In office
January 10, 1850 – February 3, 1851
Preceded byJoseph W. Matthews
Succeeded byJohn Guion
In office
December 3, 1835 – January 7, 1836
Acting
Preceded byHiram Runnels
Succeeded byCharles Lynch
Personal details
Born(1798-09-01)September 1, 1798
Rhinebeck, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 17, 1858(1858-07-17) (aged 59)
Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyWhig (before 1850)
Democratic (1850–1858)
Spouse(s)Eliza Turner
EducationHartwick College (BA)
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1846–1848
RankMajor General
UnitUnited States Volunteers
Commands2nd Brigade, 1st Volunteer Division
4th Volunteer Division
Military Governor of Mexico City
Battles/warsTexas Revolution
Mexican–American War
 • Battle of Monterrey
 • Siege of Vera Cruz
 • Battle of Cerro Gordo
 • Battle of Contreras
 • Battle of Churubusco
 • Battle of Chapultepec
 • Battle for Mexico City

References change

  1. Aztec Club Biography of 1847
  2. Sansing, David G. (2003). "John Anthony Quitman, Tenth and Sixteenth Governor of Mississippi: December 1835 to January 1836; 1850-1851". Mississippi History Now. Mississippi Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  3. Jennings, Thelma (March 1986). "John A. Quitman: Old South Crusader (review)". Civil War History. 32 (1): 86–88 (Review). doi:10.1353/cwh.1986.0060. S2CID 144674123 – via Project MUSE.