Wirt, William, 1772-1834
Name Entries
person
Wirt, William, 1772-1834
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Surname :
Wirt
Forename :
William
Date :
1772-1834
eng
Latn
authorizedForm
rda
Young Englishman of rank, 1772-1834
Computed Name Heading
Name Components
Forename :
Young Englishman of rank
Date :
1772-1834
eng
Latn
alternativeForm
rda
Genders
Male
Exist Dates
Biographical History
William Wirt (November 8, 1772 – February 18, 1834) was an American author and statesman who is credited with turning the position of United States Attorney General into one of influence. He was the longest serving Attorney General in U.S. history. He was also the Anti-Masonic nominee for president in the 1832 election.
Wirt grew up in Maryland but pursued a legal career in Virginia, passing the Virginia bar in 1792. After holding various positions, he served as the prosecutor in Aaron Burr's trial for treason. He won election to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1808 and was appointed as a United States Attorney in 1816. The following year, President James Monroe appointed him to the position of United States Attorney General. Wirt remained in that office for the next twelve years, serving under Monroe and John Quincy Adams. He continued his law career after leaving office, representing the Cherokee in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.
Though Wirt was himself a former Freemason, the Anti-Masonic Party nominated him for president in 1832. Wirt did not actively campaign for office and refused to publicly speak against Masonry. Nonetheless, the ticket of Wirt and Amos Ellmaker carried the state of Vermont, becoming the first third party presidential ticket to win a state. After the election, Wirt continued to practice law until his death in 1834. Wirt County, West Virginia, is named in Wirt's honor.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n85072341
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10569534
https://viaf.org/viaf/5060108
https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n85072341
https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1244572
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Languages Used
eng
Latn
Subjects
1778-1927
Slavery
Slavery
Theater
Religion
Executors and administrators
Attorneys general
Attorneys general
Cherokee Indians
Cherokee Indians
Cherokee Indians
Death
Disease
Elections
Elections
Emblems
Families
Foundries
Germans
Germans
Health
Indians of North America
Law
Law
Law
Law
Law
Lawyers
Lawyers
Lawyers
Lawyers as authors
Loans, Personal
Merchants
Mills and mill-work
Piety
Politics
Public prosecutors
Public prosecutors
Slaveholders
Wills
Nationalities
Americans
Activities
Occupations
Authors
Biographers
Cabinet officers
Lawyers
Statesmen
Legal Statuses
Places
Bladensburg
MD, US
AssociatedPlace
Birth
Richmond
VA, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Charlottesville
VA, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Baltimore
MD, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
District of Columbia
DC, US
AssociatedPlace
Death
Norfolk
VA, US
AssociatedPlace
Residence
Convention Declarations
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