Gwin, William McKendree, 1805-1885

Member, California Constitutional Convention, 1849, and U.S. senator from California.

From the description of Papers, 1841-1885. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28419864

William M. Gwin was born in Tennessee. In 1833 he was appointed U.S. marshal, district of Mississippi by President Jackson; in 1840 he was elected to the House of Representatives for one term. Coming to California in 1849, he worked to form a state government, representing San Francisco at the constitutional convention. Elected California's first senator, he served 1850-1861. A Chivalry Democrat, he defended slavery, feuding with fellow Democrat Senator David C. Broderick in his later term.

From the description of William M. Gwin letter : San Francisco, California, to Hon. J. W. Denver, Washington, 1856 November 20. (San Francisco Public Library). WorldCat record id: 568649117

U.S. representative from Missouri and senator from California.

From the description of Papers of William McKendree Gwin, 1850-1861. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79322350

Member of the California Constitutional Convention, 1849; U.S. Senator from California, 1850-1855, 1857-1861.

From the description of William McKendree Gwin papers, 1845?-1885. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122394763

William McKendree Gwin (1805-1885) was born in Gallatin, Tennessee, and attended medical school at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, until 1828. He practiced medicine in Mississippi until 1833, was U.S. Marshal for Mississippi in 1834, and served in Congress from 1841-1843. After briefly acting as a building superintendant in New Orleans, he traveled to California in 1849 and participated in the California Constitutional Convention. Gwin had suffered financial misfortune but the discovery of gold at his Gwin Mine in Paloma provided him with a lifelong fortune. After California was admitted as a state Gwin was elected to the U.S. Senate and served from 1850-1855. He died in New York City.

From the description of Letter to P. Greely, Jr., after 1850. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 709610609

William McKendree Gwin served as a Mississippi court marshal, 1833-1841, as a US representative from Mississippi, 1841-1843, and as a US senator from California, 1854-1860. He is credited with establishing the California mint and initiating plans to survey the Pacific coast.

From the description of Gwin, William McKendree, papers, 1837-1861. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 72850730

First U.S. senator from California, a democrat who supported slavery.

From the description of ALS, 1857 April 4 : Washington City, to Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, Attorney General. (Copley Press, J S Copley Library). WorldCat record id: 16830005