Benjamin Smith (politician, 1756)

Benjamin Smith (born January 10, 1756 in Brunswick County , Province of North Carolina , † January 27, 1826 in Smithville , North Carolina ) was a British- American politician and 16th Governor of North Carolina.

Early years

Young Smith received his education in elementary schools in his home country. During the American War of Independence he served temporarily on the staff of George Washington and made it to the position of Colonel.

Political rise

Smith served on the North Carolina Constituent Assemblies in 1788 and 1789. Between 1784 and 1810 he sat alternately in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of his country with a few interruptions . From 1795 to 1799 he was even President of the Senate. From 1794 he was also Brigadier General of the National Guard. He was also a curator at the University of North Carolina. In 1810 he was elected the new governor of North Carolina by the members of parliament.

North Carolina Governor

His term of office began on December 5, 1810 and ended a year later on December 11, 1811. An attempted re-election failed because of the lack of a majority in the House of Representatives. He worked to improve the prison system and criminal justice in North Carolina. Like his predecessor David Stone , he also campaigned for the expansion of the school system.

Further career

After the end of his tenure, Smith largely withdrew from politics. In 1816 he served again in his home state Senate, and he continued to serve as a curator of the University of North Carolina. Benjamin Smith died in Smithville in January 1826. He was married to Sara Dry.

literature

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

Web links

• Benjamin Smith in the National Governor Association (English)
• Benjamin Smith in the database of Find a Grave (English)