Alexander McNutt (politician)

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Alexander McNutt

Alexander Gallatin McNutt (born January 3, 1802 in Rockbridge , Rockbridge County , Virginia , † October 22, 1848 in DeSoto County , Mississippi ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Mississippi from 1838 to 1842 .

Early years and political advancement

Alexander McNutt attended Washington College , from which today's Washington and Lee University emerged. After completing a law degree, he ran a group practice in Vicksburg with a planter named Joel Cameron . After Cameron was murdered by one of his slaves in 1833, McNutt married his widow. Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party . In 1835 he was elected to the Mississippi Senate and in 1837 he was president of that body.

Mississippi Governor

On November 6, 1837, Alexander McNutt was elected governor of his state. He took up his new office on January 8, 1838 and, after being re-elected in 1839, was able to exercise it until January 10, 1842. During this time the state prison was completed and women's property rights were improved. His tenure was overshadowed by the collapse of the Union Bank . This bank had previously issued government bonds to supplement the state's budget. The collapse of the bank then led to a national debt of five million dollars. In 1841 the government decided not to repay the bonds. The result was a legal battle that was passed on from generation to generation and in some cases continues to this day. McNutt decided not to run again in 1841.

Another résumé

In 1847, McNutt ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the US Senate . A year later he ran for the office of elector for the presidential election. He fell fatally ill during the election campaign. He was married to Elizabeth Cameron, the widow of his ex-partner in the law firm. The couple had no children.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME McNutt, Alexander
ALTERNATIVE NAMES McNutt, Alexander Gallatin (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH January 3, 1802
PLACE OF BIRTH Rockbridge , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH October 22, 1848
Place of death DeSoto County, Mississippi