Ninian Edwards

Ninian Edwards (March 17, 1775 – July 20, 1833) was a founding political figure of the state of Illinois. He was the only governor of the Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818. He was one of the first two United States Senators from Illinois (from 1818 to 1824). He was the third Governor of Illinois (from 1826 to 1830). In a time and place where personal coalitions were more influential than parties, Edwards led one of the two main factions in frontier Illinois politics.

Ninian Edwards
3rd Governor of Illinois
In office December 6, 1826 – December 6, 1830
Lieutenant	William Kinney
Preceded by	Edward Coles
Succeeded by	John Reynolds
United States Senator from Illinois
In office December 3, 1818 – March 4, 1824
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	John McLean
Governor of Illinois Territory
In office June 11, 1809 – October 6, 1818
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Shadrach Bond as Governor of Illinois
Personal details
Born	(1775-03-17)March 17, 1775 Montgomery County, Maryland
Died	July 20, 1833(1833-07-20) (aged 58) Belleville, Illinois
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Elvira Lane
Children	Ninian, Albert, Benjamin, Julia
Signature

Edwards was born on March 17, 1775 in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was married to Elvira Lane until his death in 1833. They had four children. Edwards died on July 20, 1833 in Belleville, Illinois from cholera, aged 58.