Henry Tazewell

Henry Tazewell
4th President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office February 20, 1795 – December 8, 1795
Preceded by	Ralph Izard
Succeeded by	Samuel Livermore
United States Senator from Virginia
In office December 29, 1794 – January 24, 1799
Preceded by	John Taylor
Succeeded by	Wilson C. Nicholas
Personal details
Born	November 27, 1753 Brunswick County, Virginia
Died	January 24, 1799 (aged 45) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Anti-Administration
Spouse(s)	Dorothea Elizabeth Waller Tazewell
Children	Littleton Waller Tazewell Sophia Ann Tazewell
Alma mater	The College of William & Mary
Occupation	Lawyer, Politician, Judge
Profession	Law
Signature

Henry Tazewell (November 27, 1753 – January 24, 1799) was an American politician who was instrumental in the early government of the U.S. state of Virginia, and a United States Senator from Virginia.

Biography

Born in Brunswick County, Virginia, Tazewell was the son of Littleton and Mary Gray Tazewell. He attended the rural schools, then graduated from the College of William and Mary at Williamsburg, Virginia in 1770. He married Dorothea Elizabeth Waller on January 13, 1774. The couple were the parents of Littleton Waller Tazewell,^[1] who became senator and governor of Virginia; and a daughter, Sophia Ann.

Career

Tazewell studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1773, and began his practice. During the Revolutionary War, he raised and was commissioned captain of a troop of cavalry.^[2]

A member of the House of Burgesses in 1775, Tazewell was also delegate to the State constitutional convention of 1775 and 1776. From 1778 to 1785 he was member of General Assembly.

In 1785, Tazewell became judge of the Virginia General Court, and was elevated to Chief Justice of that court, serving in that capacity from 1789 to 1793.^[3] He also served as a judge on the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (later renamed the Virginia Supreme Court) in 1793.

In 1794, Tazewell was elected into the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Taylor. Reelected in 1798, he served from December 29, 1794, until his death. He served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1795.

Death

Tazewell died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 24, 1799 and is interred at Christ Church Burial Ground. Tazewell County, Virginia,^[4] Tazewell, Virginia, and Tazewell, Tennessee, are named after him.

References

1. "Henry Tazewell". Geni.com. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
2. "Henry Tazewell". Spokeo.com. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
3. "Henry Tazewell". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
4. "Henry Tazewell". Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Retrieved 8 November 2013.

External links

• Henry Tazewell at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Henry Tazewell at Find a Grave