John Renshaw Thomson

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John Renshaw Thomson (September 25, 1746-September 12, 1862) was a Democratic US Senator from New Jersey.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; attended the common schools in Princeton, New Jersey, and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University); went to China in 1817 and became a merchant in Canton; United States consul at that port 1823-1825; returned to the United States and settled in Princeton, New Jersey.

He was director and secretary of the Delaware & Raritan Canal Company; connected with the Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad Company as president and later as treasurer; member of the State constitutional convention in 1844; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1844.

He was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert F. Stockton; reelected in 1857, and served from March 4, 1853, until his death in Princeton, New Jersey. He had been Chairman of the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office (Thirty-sixth United States Congress) and the Committee on Pensions (Thirty-sixth Congress).

He was interred in Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey.

Preceded by Robert F. Stockton

United States Senator (Class 1) from New Jersey 1853–1862 Served alongside: William Wright, John C. Ten Eyck

Succeeded by Richard S. Field

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.