Crittenden, John J. (John Jordan), 1787-1863

Kentucky lawyer and statesman, from Frankfort (Franklin Co.).

From the description of Papers, 1786-1932. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19490792

From the description of Letters, 1835-1860. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 32410179

John Jordan Crittenden (1787-1863) was born September 10, 1787. He attended the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1807. In 1809 he became the Attorney-General for the Illinois Territory. During the War of 1812, Crittenden served as aide-de-camp to General Sam Hopkins, then in the 1st Kentucky Militia. In 1813, he received a commendation for his work during the Battle of Thames. Crittenden was elected Secretary of State of Kentucky in 1834. He served many terms on the Senate, and became governor of Kentucky in 1848. Crittenden campaigned against Kentucky's secession from the Union prior to the Civil War. He married three times, and had five sons and two daughters. Of his sons, one fought for the Union army, while another served the Confederacy. Crittenden died in Frankfort, Kentucky, on July 26, 1863.

From the description of John Jordan Crittenden letter, 1825. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 77501647

U.S. attorney general and U.S. senator from and governor of Kentucky.

From the description of John J. Crittenden papers, 1782-1913 (bulk 1841-1888). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84282463

Lawyer, U.S. attorney general, U.S. senator, and governor.

From the description of John J. Crittenden : miscellaneous papers, 1815-1862. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49215493

American lawyer, Attorney General; Gov. of Kentucky.

From the description of Autograph draft of a legal opinion signed : [n.p.], 1851 Mar. 24. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270512494

John Jordan Crittenden was born on September 10, 1786, in Woodford County, Kentucky. Crittenden graduated from William and Mary then studied law under George M. Bibb. During the War of 1812, he served as an aide to General Samuel Hopkins and Governor Isaac Shelby. In 1829, Crittenden won a special election for a State house seat. He served in this capacity until 1832. He also served as Kentucky's Secretary of State in 1834. He proceded on to become U.S. Senator (1834-1841), which he resigned to become President William H. Harrison's Attorney General. He resigned this post when Tyler was elected President. Crittenden was then elected to an unexpired term in the U.S. Senate (1842-1848). During this time, he came out in opposition to Henry Clay. He resigned his seat to run for governor of Kentucky, in hopes of helping Zachery Taylor carry the state in the presidential election. In 1854, he was elected to the U.S. Senate for the forth time, serving until 1861. As the sectional crisis came to a head, he proposed the Crittenden Compromise in 1861. It was passed by the House of Representatives in July of that year. He died on July 26, 1863.

From the description of John J. Crittenden papers : letters, 1816-1859. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36849949

John J. Crittenden (1787-1863) was a Kentucky lawyer and statesman from Frankfort (Franklin Co). During his career he served as a Kentucky legislator, as Kentucky governor, as a member of both houses of the U.S. Congress, and as a Cabinet officer. His political career spans the antebellum and early Civil War periods and he was involved in a futile attempt to prevent the onset of the Civil War through a political settlement in 1861.

From the guide to the John J. Crittenden papers, 1786-1932, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

American statesman.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : to Jos. Gales, 1847 Jan. 13. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270529012

From the description of Autograph letter signed : to Wm. G. Webster, 1846 Apr. 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270529007

From the description of Autograph letter signed : to N.T. Eldredge, 1840 July 20. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270529003

John J. Crittenden was born September 10, 1787. He served Kentucky as a U.S. Senator (1817-1819; 1835-1841; 1842-1848; 1855-1861). He was also nominated, but not confirmed, as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1828, served as U.S. Attorney General (1841; 1850-1853) and as a member of the House of Representatives (1861-1863). He died on July 26, 1863.

From the description of John Jordan Crittenden papers, 1782-1863 (inclusive), [microform]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702691085

John J. Crittenden was a U.S. Representative and Senator from KY. He also served as Attorney General under Presidents Harrison and Filmore.

From the description of Crittenden, John Jordan Letter ca. 1855. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 55893234

Politician, Lawyer

Crittenden, who is most often remembered for the anti-sessionist compromise which bears his name, had an active political life. He was territorial attorney general of Illinois in 1809-1810 and twice attorney general of the United States. He served four times in the United States Senate between 1817 and 1861, was Governor of Kentucky from 1848 to 1850, twice Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives, among other offices. Two of Crittenden's sons served as Major Generals on opposite sides during the Civil War.

From the description of John J. Crittenden papers, 1836-1861. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 13042586

Politician, Lawyer

Crittenden, who is most often remembered for the anti-sessionist compromise which bears his name, had an active political life. He was territorial attorney general of Illinois in 1809-1810 and twice attorney general of the United States. He served four times in the United States Senate between 1817 and 1861, was Governor of Kentucky from 1848 to 1850, twice Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives, among other offices. Two of Crittenden's sons served as Major Generals on opposite sides during the Civil War.

From the description of John J. Crittenden papers, 1836-1861. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 13050585

Biographical Note

• 1778, Sept. 10: Born near Versailles, Ky.
• 1803: Moved to Kentucky to study law
• 1807: Graduated in law, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
• 1809: Became territorial attorney general in Illinois
• 1811: Married Sarah Lee (died 1824)
• 1811 - 1817 : Represented Logan County in Kentucky legislature
• 1812 - 1813 : Served in Kentucky militia in War of 1812
• 1826: Married Maria Knox Todd
• 1827: Appointed United States district attorney
• 1840: Attorney general
• 1848 - 1850 : Governor of Kentucky
• 1850 - 1853 : Attorney general
• 1853: Married Elizabeth Moss
• 1856: Joined the Know-Nothing Party
• 1859: Constitutional Union Party
• 1860: Introduced resolution in Congress proposing comprises on slavery issue
• 1861: Chairman, Frankfort, Ky., convention of border-state leaders Returned to Congress in special election as United States representative from Kentucky; introduced Crittenden-Johnson Resolution defining Union war aims
• 1863, July 26: Died, Frankfort, Ky

From the guide to the John J. Crittenden Papers, 1782-1913, (bulk 1841-1888), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)