Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886

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Kentucky legislator, U.S. congressman and senator, and governor, 1867-1871.

From the description of J.W. White : miscellaneous papers, 1861-1876. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49336656

Lawyer of the firm Phelps and Stevenson, and governor of Kentucky, 1867-1871.

From the description of Letter, 1841. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 38247200

Stevenson was a democrat who served in the Kentucky House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senator and as governor of Kentucky from 1867-1871.

From the description of Broadside, 1859 March 2. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49336653

John White Stevenson was born in Richmond, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia and later read law. He moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, then moved soon after to Covington, Kentucky. Stevenson entered politics in Kentucky and began his career in the state legislature, later serving as a delegate to the 1849 state constitutional convention. From 1857 to 1861 Stevenson was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Following the Civil War, Stevenson won election as lieutenant governor in 1867. Five days after beginning his term, Stevenson became governor on the death of John Larue Helm. He won special election in 1868 for the remainder of the term. Stevenson supported the early restoration of rights to ex-Confederates and continued to argue the states rights philosophy he had long held. Stevenson resigned the governorship in 1871 to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. He held the seat until 1877. Stevenson resumed his legal practice in Covington and taught in the Cincinnati Law School. He was elected president of the American Bar Association in 1884.

From the description of J.W. Stevenson letter, 1858 Nov. 1. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42909092

Governor of Kentucky, United States Senator.

Stevenson was born in Richmond, Virginia. His father, Andrew Stevenson, served in Congress for many years. He read law in Virginia and, on the advice of James Madison, moved west to open his practice. After living in Vicksburg, Mississippi a few years, Stevenson moved to Covington, Kentucky in 1841. Four years later he was elected to the Kentucky state legislature as a representative from Kenton County. He was a member of the 1849 state constitutional convention and further familiarized himself with the state's laws by coauthoring with James Harlan, CODE OF PRACTICE IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.

After serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1848, 1852, 1861, he served in the House of Representatives (1857-1861). A strong Confederate sympathizer, Stevenson returned to politics after the Civil War, with his election to the lieutenant governorship of Kentucky in 1867. Upon the death of governor John LaRue Helm, Stevenson was elevated to the governorship. He failed to serve the full term, however, for he defeated Senator Thomas McCreery and won a seat in the United States Senate in 1871. At the end of his term in 1877 he returned to his law practice in Covington and to teaching criminal law and contracts in the Cincinnati law school. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Convention in 1880, and in 1884 was elected president of the American Bar Association.

From the description of John White Stevenson papers, 1869-1885, 1877-1885 (bulk dates). (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 14560801

Biographical Note

Andrew Stevenson

  • 1785, Mar. 23: Born, Culpeper County, Va.
  • 1793: Attended Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg, Va.
  • 1798 - 1800 : Attended College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
  • 1805: Admitted to the Virginia bar 1809 Married Page White (died 1812)
  • 1809 - 1821 : Representative, Virginia House of Delegates
  • 1812 - 1844 : Elected quadrennially to “Richmond Junto”
  • 1812 - 1815 : Served in Virginia militia during War of 1812
  • 1816: Married Sarah Coles (died 1848)
  • 1821 - 1834 : Served in U.S. House of Representatives
  • 1827 - 1834 : Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
  • 1835: Chairman, National Democratic Convention
  • 1836 - 1841 : U.S. minister to Great Britain
  • 1841 - 1857 : Active in Virginia politics and in the affairs of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
  • 1849: Married Mary Schaff
  • 1857, Jan. 18: Died at “Blenheim,” Albemarle County Va.

J. W. Stevenson

  • 1812, Mar. 4: Born, Richmond, Va.
  • 1828 - 1829 : Attended Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney,. Va.
  • 1829 - 1832 : Attended University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
  • 1833, circa: Admitted to the bar, Vicksburg, Miss.
  • 1841: Began law practice, Covington, Ky.
  • 1842: Married Sibella Winston
  • 1845 - 1850 : Representative from Kenton County, Kentucky state legislature
  • 1857 - 1861 : Served in U.S. House of Representatives
  • 1867, Aug.: Elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky
  • 1867, Sept. - 1871 : Governor of Kentucky
  • 1871 - 1877 : U.S. senator from Kentucky
  • 1877: Resumed law practice and accepted a position to teach criminal law and contracts at Cincinnati Law School, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • 1880: Chairman, National Democratic Convention
  • 1884: Elected president, American Bar Association
  • 1886, Aug. 10: Died, Covington, Ky.

From the guide to the Andrew Stevenson and J. W. Stevenson Papers, 1756-1882, (bulk 1833-1876), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Wilson, Samuel M. (Samuel Mackay), 1871-1946,. Letters to George Nicholas Sanders, 1842-1873. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Willard A. Bishop Portrait Photography Collection, 1890-1908 Sandusky Library
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. J.W. White : miscellaneous papers, 1861-1876. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. Letter, 1841. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn James W. Tate appointment certificate, 1869. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. J.W. Stevenson letter, 1858 Nov. 1. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Snead family. Snead family : papers, 1840-1954. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Green, Norvin, 1818-1893. Norvin Green Papers, 1802-1892. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Johnson family. Johnson family : papers, 1859-1971. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Andrew Stevenson and J. W. Stevenson Papers, 1756-1882, (bulk 1833-1876) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. John White Stevenson papers, 1869-1885, 1877-1885 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. Letter to Ben W. Austin. Covington, KY. 1883 Sept. 24. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Moseley, Thomas W. H. (Thomas William Henry), 1813-1880. Papers. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Bristow, Benjamin Helm, 1832-1896. Benjamin Helm Bristow : miscellaneous papers, 1832-1896. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. Letter : Frankfort, Ky., to J.H. Harrigan, 1869 Dec. 1. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Grigsby family. Grigsby family : papers, 1818-1884. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Noble, John C. John C. Noble papers : letters, 1866-1870. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Mackoy family. Mackoy family papers, 1784-1943. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn George P. Garrett Papers, 1929-2008, (bulk 1960-2000) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. Letter : Frankfort, Ky., to J.H. Harrigan, 1869 Dec. 1. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. Broadside, 1859 March 2. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
referencedIn Morrill, Lot M. (Lot Myrick), 1812-1883. Lot M. Morrill papers, 1852-1894. Maine Historical Society Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bell, James B. person
associatedWith Bishop, Willard A. person
correspondedWith Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875 person
associatedWith Bristow, Benjamin Helm, 1832-1896. person
correspondedWith Buchanan, James, 1791-1868 person
correspondedWith Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850 person
correspondedWith Cambreleng, Churchill Caldom, 1786-1862 person
correspondedWith Carlisle, John Griffin, 1835-1910 person
correspondedWith Cass, Lewis, 1782-1866 person
associatedWith Combs, Leslie, 1793-1881. person
associatedWith Davis, Garrett person
associatedWith Episcopal Church. corporateBody
correspondedWith Everett, Edward, 1794-1865 person
correspondedWith Forsyth, John, 1780-1841 person
correspondedWith Garrett, George P., 1929-2008 person
correspondedWith Green, Norvin, 1818-1893. person
associatedWith Grigsby family. family
associatedWith Harrigan, J. H., fl. 19th cent. person
associatedWith Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, 1822-1893. person
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
correspondedWith Ingersoll, C. M. (Colin Macrae), 1819-1904 person
associatedWith Johnson family. family
correspondedWith Kenyon, John, 1784-1856 person
correspondedWith Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843 person
correspondedWith Littlepage, James person
associatedWith Mackoy family. family
correspondedWith Marcy, William L. (William Learned), 1786-1857 person
associatedWith Moore, Thomas, 1779-1852 person
associatedWith Morrill, Lot M. (Lot Myrick), 1812-1883. person
associatedWith Moseley, Thomas W. H. (Thomas William Henry), 1813-1880. person
correspondedWith Nicholas, Philip Norborne, 1775? -1849 person
associatedWith Noble, John C. person
correspondedWith Palmerston, Henry John Temple, Viscount, 1784-1865 person
correspondedWith Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851 person
correspondedWith Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849 person
correspondedWith Rhees, William J. person
correspondedWith Ritchie, Thomas, 1778-1854 person
correspondedWith Rives, William C. (William Cabell), 1793-1868 person
correspondedWith Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813 person
correspondedWith Rush, Richard, 1780-1859 person
correspondedWith Russell, John Russell, Earl, 1792-1878 person
correspondedWith Rutherfoord, John, 1792-1866 person
associatedWith Snead family. family
correspondedWith Southey, Robert, 1774-1843 person
associatedWith Stevenson, Andrew, 1784-1857 person
correspondedWith Stevenson, Sarah Coles, 1789-1848 person
associatedWith Storm, H. person
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
correspondedWith Taney, Roger Brooke, 1777-1864 person
associatedWith Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. person
correspondedWith Tucker, George, 1775-1861 person
correspondedWith Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862 person
correspondedWith Van Rensselaer, Alexander person
correspondedWith Vaux, Richard, 1816-1895 person
associatedWith Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901 person
correspondedWith Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852 person
associatedWith Wordsworth, William, 1770-1850 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Great Britain
United States
Madison County (Va.)
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
United States
Canada
Subject
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Person

Birth 1812-05-04

Death 1886-08-10

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