Wilson Lumpkin

Wilson Lumpkin (born January 14, 1783 near the Dan River , Virginia , † December 28, 1870 in Athens , Georgia ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Georgia, whom he also represented in both chambers of Congress .

Early years

Only a year after his birth, Lumpkin's parents moved with him to what is now Oglethorpe County in Georgia. In this area there was always tension between the white settlers and the native Indians . His experiences at that time made him come to the conclusion that the two races could never coexist peacefully. After leaving school, he studied law, worked as a teacher and helped on the local farm. He opened a law firm in Athens.

Political rise

His lifelong political career began when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1804. He remained in his state's parliament until 1812; in March 1815 he moved to Congress in Washington, DC for the first time , where he sat until March 3, 1817 in the House of Representatives . He initially missed re-election and returned to Congress for four more years in March 1827. Basically, he was an advocate of state rights vis-à-vis the federal government. On the other hand, he opposed the politics of South Carolina around 1830 when a separation from the Union was being considered. He prevented Georgia from participating in this project.

The Indian question has played an important role in Georgia since 1828. Gold had been discovered in the Cherokee territory in the north of the state. Georgia, under Governor George Gilmer , pursued anti-Indian policies. This was supported by President Andrew Jackson and his successor Martin Van Buren . The goal was to expel or resettle the Indians in the Oklahoma Territory . Lumpkin followed this policy unconditionally.

Governor and senator

In 1831, at the height of the Indian discussion, he was elected governor of Georgia. After his re-election in 1833 he held this office until 1835. During his tenure, the Indian resettlement was initiated. Lumpkin encountered resistance from a number of members of parliament in Washington, various churches and missionaries, but with the president and his government behind him he was able to carry out the resettlement program. For the Cherokee, this began the so-called path of tears .

After retiring from the office of governor, he became the US government commissioner for the resettlement of the Cherokee (1836-37). He then belonged to Congress until 1841 as the successor to the resigned Senator John Pendleton King . He promoted the formation of the Western and Atlantic Railroad and served on the board of directors of the University of Georgia . In 1860 he supported Georgia's exit from the Union. He survived the Civil War and died in 1870. His daughter later bequeathed his property in Athens to the University of Georgia.

Lumpkins was initially married to Elizabeth Walker. His second marriage was to Anne Hopkins. He had nine children in total.

According to him, Lumpkin County named in Georgia.

literature

Jonathan M. Atkins: Wilson Lumpkin. In: American National Biography. Vol. 14, 1999, 127-28.
Kenneth Coleman and Charles Stephen Gurr (Eds.): Dictionary of Georgia Biography. University of Georgia, Athens 1983, sv "Wilson Lumpkin."
Wilson Lumpkin: The Removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia. 1907; reprint, Augustus M. Kelley, New York 1971.
Robert G. McPherson: Wilson Lumpkin. In: Horace Montgomery (Ed.): Georgians in Profile: Historical Essays in Honor of Ellis Merton Coulter. University of Georgia, Athens 1958, 144-167.

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personal data
SURNAME	Lumpkin, Wilson
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	January 14, 1783
PLACE OF BIRTH	on the Dan River , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH	December 28, 1870
Place of death	Athens , Georgia