John A. Quitman
John Anthony Quitman (September 1, 1798 – July 17, 1858) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. As President of the Mississippi Senate, he served one month as Acting Governor of Mississippi (from December 3, 1835, to January 7, 1836) as a Whig. He was elected governor in 1849 as a Democrat, and served from January 10, 1850, until his resignation on February 3, 1851, shortly after his arrest for violating U.S. neutrality laws. He was strongly pro-slavery and a leading Fire-Eater.
John Quitman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – July 17, 1858 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | John McRae |
| 10th and 16th Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office January 10, 1850 – February 3, 1851 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph W. Matthews |
| Succeeded by | John Guion |
| In office December 3, 1835 – January 7, 1836 Acting | |
| Preceded by | Hiram Runnels |
| Succeeded by | Charles Lynch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1, 1798 Rhinebeck, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 17, 1858 (aged 59) Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig (before 1850) Democratic (1850–1858) |
| Spouse | Eliza Turner |
| Education | Hartwick College (BA) |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | United States Volunteers |
| Commands | 2nd Brigade, 1st Volunteer Division 4th Volunteer Division Military Governor of Mexico City |
| Battles/wars | Texas Revolution Mexican–American War • Battle of Monterrey • Siege of Vera Cruz • Battle of Cerro Gordo • Battle of Contreras • Battle of Churubusco • Battle of Chapultepec • Battle for Mexico City |
According to Quitman's first biographer, John F. H. Claiborne, writing in 1860, "A more ambitious man never lived. ...He was greedy for military fame." "For Quitman, military glory and political ambition had priority over management of his three plantations and numerous slaves."