James Ross (U.S. politician)

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James Ross (July 12, 1762November 27, 1847) was a lawyer and United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1794 to 1803.

Born near Delta, York County, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Joseph and Jane (Graham) Ross. At eighteen, after having received a classical education, he moved to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and taught at what would become Washington and Jefferson College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1784 focusing on land law. A Federalist, he was a member of the convention that drafted a new constitution for Pennsylvania in 1789-1790.

President George Washington appointed him to negotiate with the rebels of the Whiskey Rebellion, successfully defusing the situation without violence. On April 1, 1794, the Pennsylvania legislature elected him to the United States Senate. There, he authored a new law for the public lands and fought President Thomas Jefferson's administration.

He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1799, 1802, and 1808.

He died in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, which is now part of Pittsburgh. Ross County, Ohio is named for him.

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Preceded by
Albert Gallatin
United States Senator (Class 1) from Pennsylvania
1794–1803
Served alongside: Robert Morris, William Bingham, J. Peter Muhlenberg, George Logan
Succeeded by
Samuel Maclay
Preceded by
John Laurance
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
March 1, 1799December 1, 1799
Succeeded by
Samuel Livermore