Henry Dutton

Henry Dutton (born February 12, 1796 in Plymouth , Connecticut , † April 26, 1869 ) was an American politician and governor of the US state of Connecticut. He was a member of the Whig Party .

Early years and political advancement

Henry Dutton graduated from Yale University in 1818 , then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823. He also taught himself at Yale between 1821 and 1823 and was headmaster ( English ) at Fairfield Academy for two years . Some time later he decided to go into politics and served in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1828, 1834, 1838, 1839, and 1850 . After moving to New Haven in 1847 , he was hired as Kent Professor of Law at Yale , a position he held until his death. Dutton also served in the Connecticut Senate in 1849 , then was a judge on New Haven County Court between 1852 and 1853, and failed in his candidacy for Connecticut governor in 1853.

Connecticut Governor

Dutton won the Whigs gubernatorial nomination in 1854 and was elected Connecticut governor by a legislative vote (140 to 93) that same year. During his tenure, the Kansas-Nebraska Act and a Prohibition Act were ratified in May 1854 . The first law sparked a major controversy across the state. It made slavery legally possible in a new large area and revived the bitter dispute over the expansion of slavery , which had ceased after the agreement of 1850 and thus accelerated the beginning of the Civil War . Dutton ran for re-election in 1855, but failed. His term of office ran from May 3, 1854 to May 2, 1855.

Another résumé

After he left his office, served between 1861 and 1866 as a judge on the Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Errors . Henry Dutton died on April 12, 1869 and was buried in Grove Street Cemetery.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.
Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Dutton, Henry
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician and lawyer
DATE OF BIRTH	February 12, 1796
PLACE OF BIRTH	Plymouth , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH	April 26, 1869