Alexander White (Virginia politician)
Alexander White (June 17, 1738 – October 9, 1804) was a distinguished early American lawyer and politician in the present-day U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. He served in the House of Burgesses (representing Hampshire County), the Virginia House of Delegates (representing Frederick County and later Berkeley County. During the American Revolutionary War, White facilitated the release of Quaker and Hessian civilian prisoners held by patriots. White also participated in the Virginia Ratifying Convention (in which Virginia ratified the United States Constitution in 1788) and became the northwestern Virginia district's inaugural member in the United States House of Representatives (1789 to 1793). United States President George Washington appointed White one of the commissioners responsible for the planning and construction of Washington, D.C. (1795 to 1802).
Alexander White | |
|---|---|
| 6th Commissioner of the Federal City | |
| In office May 21, 1795 – July 1, 1802 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Carroll |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Berkeley County | |
| In office 1799–1801 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Robert Rutherford |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Frederick County | |
| In office 1788–1788 Serving with John S. Woodcock | |
| In office 1782–1785 | |
| Member of the House of Burgesses from Hampshire County | |
| In office 1772–1773 | |
| Preceded by | Abraham Hite |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Neville |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 17, 1738 White Hall, Virginia Colony, British America |
| Died | October 9, 1804 (aged 65–66) Frederick County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Glen Burnie, Winchester, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Pro-Administration Party |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Wood Sarah Cotter Hite |
| Relations | Robert White (father) Margaret Hoge (mother) Robert White (nephew) Francis White (nephew) Robert White (great-great-nephew) James Wood (brother-in-law) |
| Residence(s) | Woodville, Frederick County, Virginia |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh Inner Temple Gray's Inn |
| Occupation | lawyer, politician |
The son of Virginia pioneer settler and physician Dr. Robert White (1688–1752); White was a member of the prominent White political family of Virginia and West Virginia. His nephew became Virginia judge Robert White (1759–1831), another nephew became United States Congressman Francis White (1761–1826), and his brother-in-law was Virginia Governor James Wood (1741–1813).