Wirt, William, 1772-1834

William Wirt was born 8 November 1772 in Bladensburg, Maryland, to Jacob Wirt (d. 1774) and Henrietta Wirt (d. 1779). Orphaned, Wirt fortunately received help from an uncle and from a family friend and received an education. He studied law and settled in Culpeper County, Virginia, where he was admitted to the Virginia bar and practiced in Culpeper and Albemarle Counties where he lived from 1795 to 1799. He moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1800 to continue his practice. He was elected clerk of the House of Delegates. In 1802, he was appointed chancellor of one of the three chancery districts and moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. In 1803, he resigned as chancellor and moved to Norfolk, Virginia, to continue his private law practice. Wirt returned to Richmond in 1806 and continued practicing law. He served as one of the prosecution in the Aaron Burr trial in 1807. In 1817, he was appointed Attorney-General of the United States by President James Monroe (1758-1831) and served for twelve years through Monroe's term and through the term of John Quincy Adams (1767-1848). In 1829, he retired to private life in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1832, Wirt was the presidential candidate of the Anti-Masonic party. Wirt wrote many works including LETTERS OF THE BRITISH SPY and a biography of Patrick Henry. Wirt died in Washington D.C. 18 February 1834, and was buried in the National (Congressional) Cemetery. William Wirt married first Mildred Gilmer (d. 1799) of Albemarle County 28 May 1795. He married second Elizabeth Washington Gamble (1784-1857) of Richmond 7 September 1802, and they had twelve children.

From the guide to the Letters, 1803-1832, (Library of Virginia)

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