James D. Porter
James Davis Porter (December 7, 1828 – May 18, 1912) was an American attorney, politician, educator, and officer of the Confederate Army. He served as the 20th Governor of Tennessee from 1875 to 1879. He was subsequently appointed as Assistant Secretary of State during President Grover Cleveland's first administration, and Minister to Chile in Cleveland's second administration.
James Davis Porter | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Porter by Washington B. Cooper | |
| 20th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office January 18, 1875 – February 16, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | John C. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Albert S. Marks |
| United States Assistant Secretary of State | |
| In office March 20, 1885 – September 17, 1887 | |
| President | Grover Cleveland |
| Preceded by | John Davis |
| Succeeded by | George L. Rives |
| United States Minister to Chile | |
| In office July 4, 1893 – March 14, 1894 | |
| President | Grover Cleveland |
| Preceded by | Patrick Egan |
| Succeeded by | Edward H. Strobel |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1859–1861 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 7, 1828 Paris, Tennessee |
| Died | May 18, 1912 (aged 83) Paris, Tennessee |
| Resting place | Paris City Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig Democratic |
| Spouse | Susannah Dunlap (m. 1851) |
| Profession | Attorney, educator |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Belmont (1861) • Shiloh (1862) • Chickamauga (1863) • Missionary Ridge (1863) • Atlanta Campaign (1864) • Nashville (1864) |
As an elected state legislator on the eve of the Civil War, Porter had introduced the "Porter resolutions," which bound Tennessee to the Confederacy should war be declared. He served during much of the war as chief of staff to Confederate General Benjamin F. Cheatham, and saw action at various battles in Tennessee and Georgia.
Porter spent his later years as chancellor of his alma mater, the University of Nashville, and as president of Peabody College. This was established at the University of Nashville during his gubernatorial administration. He oversaw the liquidation and transfer of the University of Nashville's assets to the Peabody Education Fund, which allowed Peabody College to be re-established near Vanderbilt University in 1909.