John Lyde Wilson

John Lyde Wilson (born May 24, 1784 in what is now Marlboro County , South Carolina , † February 12, 1849 in Charleston , South Carolina) was an American politician and governor of South Carolina from 1822 to 1824.

Early years of political career

After elementary school, Wilson studied law in Baltimore . He was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1807. He then practiced in Georgetown. He began his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Between 1806 and 1818 he was on this body with a few interruptions. From 1818 to 1822 he was in the Senate of his home state. As a member of the Democratic Republican Party, he was elected the new governor by members of parliament at the end of 1822.

Governor of south carolina

His two-year term began on December 1, 1822 and ended on December 1, 1824. Wilson was an advocate for state rights against the federal government and the US Congress. He forbade any interference by federal authorities in the internal affairs of his country. As a result, his relations with the federal government were strained. This problem would pose major problems for South Carolina in the years and decades to come. The crisis of nullification in 1832 and the secession of 1860 are highlights of this development. The governor also promoted the improvement of the country's infrastructure. In 1824 the Columbia Canal was completed. He also founded the Medical College of South Carolina and was also the curator of South Carolina College. He advocated more humane laws against blacks, but stuck to the institution of slavery .

Further career

Because the South Carolina Constitution did not allow two consecutive terms, Wilson could not be re-elected in 1824. Between 1826 and 1830 he was again in the Senate of his country. At the time, voices were raised to remove him from his post as senator for alleged financial mismanagement during his governor's tenure. This almost led to a duel with a political opponent. Since the allegations were not confirmed, the matter petered out. At the height of the 1832 nullification crisis against the Andrew Jackson- led federal government, Wilson was a member of the convention that would decide the future of South Carolina. He advocated the country's exit from the Union. The crisis was then settled amicably. He was then president of the Bank of South Carolina and the commissioner for public buildings in his country. John Wilson died in February 1849.

literature

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

Web links

• John Wilson in the National Governor Association (English)
• South Carolina Information Highway (English)
• John Lyde Wilson in the database of Find a Grave (English)