Sampson W. Harris was born in Elbert County, Georgia on 23 February 1809, the son of Judge Stephen Harris of Eatonton, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1828 and read law with his uncle, Judge Eli Shorter at Eatonton. After practicing there for a short time, he moved to Alabama in 1837 and located at Wetumka. He was elected solicitor of the 8th Court in 1841 but resigned in 1844 when he was elected to the Alabama State Senate. Following two years in the state senate, he was elected to the United States Senate and served from 1847 to 1857. He died in Washington, DC, on 1 April 1857, shortly after leaving office.
From the guide to the Sampson W. Harris letters MSS. 0642., 1848-1857, (University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama)
