Wirt, William, 1772-1834

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1772-11-08
Death 1834-02-18
Active 1777
Active 1940
Gender:
Male
Americans
English, English,

Biographical notes:

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.

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Subjects:

  • 1778-1927
  • Slavery
  • Slavery
  • Theater
  • Religion
  • Executors and administrators
  • Attorneys general
  • Attorneys general
  • Cherokee Indians
  • Cherokee Indians
  • Cherokee Indians
  • Death
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  • Elections
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  • Emblems
  • Families
  • Foundries
  • Germans
  • Germans
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  • Indians of North America
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  • Lawyers
  • Lawyers as authors
  • Loans, Personal
  • Merchants
  • Mills and mill-work
  • Piety
  • Politics
  • Public prosecutors
  • Public prosecutors
  • Slaveholders
  • Wills
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  • Attorneys general
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  • Cherokee Indians
  • Elections
  • Germans
  • Law
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  • Lawyers
  • Lawyers
  • Public prosecutors

Occupations:

  • Authors
  • Cabinet officers
  • Statesmen
  • Biographers
  • Lawyers

Places:

  • MD, US
  • VA, US
  • VA, US
  • MD, US
  • DC, US
  • VA, US
  • Richmond (Va.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Baltimore (Md.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Washington (D.C.) (as recorded)
  • Florida (as recorded)
  • Virginia--Orange County (as recorded)
  • Monticello (Fla.) (as recorded)
  • Virginia--Richmond (as recorded)
  • Mathews County (Va.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Laws--Georgia (as recorded)
  • Washington (D.C.) (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • Georgia (as recorded)
  • Monticello (Fla.) (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Germany (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • Baltimore (Md.) (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Virginia--Richmond (as recorded)
  • Baltimore (Md.) (as recorded)
  • Washington (D.C.) (as recorded)
  • Southern States (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • Georgia (as recorded)
  • Richmond (Va.) (as recorded)
  • Maryland (as recorded)
  • Richmond (Va.) (as recorded)
  • Maryland (as recorded)
  • Germany (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • Virginia--Richmond (as recorded)
  • Maryland (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Virginia (as recorded)
  • Southern States (as recorded)

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