Joseph Kent

Joseph Kent (painting by Charles Bird King )

Joseph Kent (born January 14, 1779 in Calvert County , Maryland , † November 24, 1837 in Bladensburg , Maryland) was an American politician and from 1826 to 1829 governor of the state of Maryland, which he also represented in both chambers of Congress .

Early years and political advancement

Joseph Kent attended the Lower Marlboro Academy and then studied medicine. After graduating, he began to practice in Lower Marlboro and Bladensburg. Around 1807 he bought "Rosemount", a larger property near Bladensburg. Since then, in addition to his medical work, he has also worked as a farmer. He was also serving as a Lt. Col. Army Medical Officer for the Maryland Militia.

In 1810 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Republican Party . There he completed two legislative terms between March 4, 1811 and March 3, 1815. He was intermittently chairman of the District of Columbia Administration Committee . Kent also supported the War of 1812 . After a four-year hiatus, he was again a member of the House of Representatives between 1819 and 1826, where he was again chairman of the District of Columbia committee.

Maryland Governor and US Senator

After being elected governor by the Maryland legislature, Kent resigned from his seat in Congress. Between January 2, 1826 and January 15, 1829 he was then, after two re-elections, as governor. During this time the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was founded, which was to begin building a railroad network in the years to come. Improving Maryland's infrastructure was one of the governor's primary goals. Prison reform was also passed under Governor Kent. Kent also worked to improve the school system.

After his tenure ended, Kent was elected a National Republican to the US Senate in 1832. There he replaced Senator Samuel Smith . He held this office from March 4, 1833 until his death on November 24, 1837; during this time he joined the Whigs . Also as a senator, he was chairman of the District of Columbia Administration Committee. In doing so, he continued his previous work in the House of Representatives. Kent was an opponent of the Bank of the United States . He supported President Andrew Jackson on this point . However, due to his poor health, Kent only attended four Senate sessions. He died from injuries sustained when he fell from a horse. His successor in the Senate was then William Duhurst Merrick . Joseph Kent was married twice and had a total of eleven children.

Web links

• Joseph Kent in the National Governors Association (English)
• Joseph Kent in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• Joseph Kent in the database of Find a Grave (English)