Robert Wright (politician)

Robert Wright

Robert Wright (born November 20, 1752 in Queen Anne's County , Province of Maryland , †  September 7, 1826 ibid) was an American politician who represented the state of Maryland in both chambers of the US Congress and from 1806 to 1809 its governor was.

Early years and political advancement

Robert Wright attended the local schools in his homeland and then the Kent County School , which became today's Washington College . There he studied law. After his admission to the bar in 1773, he began working in his new profession in Chestertown .

During the War of Independence , he rose from being a simple soldier to becoming a captain . After the war he began his political career. Between 1784 and 1786 he was a member of the Maryland House of Representatives , and in 1800 he was elected to the Maryland Senate.

Senator and Governor

Between March 4, 1801 and November 12, 1806, Wright represented his state in the US Senate as a member of the Democratic Republican Party . He was thus the successor to Senator William Hindman . In 1803 he was a delegate of the Senate to the Federal Assembly of Farmers ( Farmer's National Convention ).

In November 1806, Wright resigned from his mandate because he had since been elected governor of his state. For him moved Philip Reed of the Senate. Wright served as governor of Maryland between November 12, 1806 and May 6, 1809. During this time the governor was given the legal authority to purchase weapons for the militia. At the same time the militia was reorganized. In addition, the planning of a road from Cumberland to Ohio began at that time . On May 6, 1809, Wright resigned as governor because he had applied for a judicial position at an appeals court. Between May 6 and June 9, 1809, the office of governor was temporarily administered by James Butcher .

Further career

Wright's application for this judge's post was unsuccessful. He was then employed in Queen Anne's County Administration in 1810. After the resignation of Congressman John Brown , Wright moved to the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC in 1810 . There he stayed between November 29, 1810 and March 4, 1817. After being voted out of office in 1816, he ran again in 1820 for a seat in Congress. After the successful election he was able to spend another two years as a member of the House of Representatives between 1821 and 1823.

After the legislature ended, he became a district judge in Maryland. He held this office until his death in 1826. Robert Wright was married three times and had a total of six children. He was also a cousin of Turbutt Wright (1741–1783) who represented Maryland in the Continental Congress .

Web links

• Robert Wright in the National Governors Association (English)
• Robert Wright (politicians) in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Robert Wright in the database of Find a Grave (English)