Bingham, William, 1752-1804

<p>William Bingham (March 8, 1752 – February 7, 1804) was an American statesman from Philadelphia. He was a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788 and served in the United States Senate from 1795 to 1801. Bingham was one of the wealthiest men in the United States during his lifetime, and was considered to be the richest person in the U.S. in 1780.</p>

<p>William Bingham was born on March 8, 1752, in Philadelphia. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1768.</p>

<p>Bingham first travelled to Europe in 1773 and, upon, returning to America joined the Philadelphia Society. Sent by the Committee of Secret Correspondence to Martinico (today's Martinique), to reside ostensibly as a merchant and to establish communications through that colony with Silas Deane, the committee's agent in France. He departed America aboard the frigate Reprisal on July 3, 1776. During his voyages, he established links with French merchants at Martinique, captured several British ships, and returned in 1777 to America with several full loads of munitions, guns, and other vital goods necessary for the fighting of a war.</p>

BINGHAM, William, a Delegate and a Senator from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 8, 1752; was graduated from Philadelphia College in 1768; agent of the Continental Congress at Martinique, and afterwards consul at St. Pierre, in the West Indies 1777-1780; Member of the Continental Congress 1786-1788; member, State house of representatives 1790-1791, serving as speaker in 1791; served in, and was president of, the State senate 1794-1795; elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1801; was not a candidate for reelection; served as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Fourth Congress; withdrew from public life and engaged in the management of his extensive estates; moved in 1801 to Bath, England, and resided with his daughter until his death in that city on February 7, 1804; interment in Bath Abbey, Bath, England.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>02/16/1797 President Pro Tempore Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>02/26/1795 PA US Senate Won 56.86% (+22.55%)</li>
<li>10/09/1792 PA At-Large Lost 3.46% (-4.49%)</li>
<li>12/31/1787 PA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1786 PA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1785 PA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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