Thomas Lanier Clingman
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Thomas Lanier Clingman (27 July 1812 – 3 November 1897), known as the "Prince of Politicians," was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845 and from 1847 to 1858, and U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1858 and 1861. During the Civil War he refused to resign his Senate seat and was one of ten senators expelled from the Senate in absentia. He then served as a general in the Confederate States Army.
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[edit] Early life
Clingman was born in Huntsville, NC, a small community in present day Yadkin County, NC. His parents were Jacob and Jane Poindexter Clingman. He was educated by private tutors and in the public schools in Iredell County, NC. Clingman graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1832. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1834 and began practice in Huntsville, NC.
[edit] Political career
Clingman was elected to the North Carolina State house of commons in 1835. In 1836 he moved to Asheville, NC. He was a member of the North Carolina State senate in 1840. In 1843 Clingman ran as a Whig and was elected to the 28th United States Congress, however he was defeated in his reelection bid in 1845. In 1845 he fought a duel with a fellow congressman William Lowndes Yancey of Alabama. In Yancey's maiden speech on the House floor, he had impugned his opponent's integrity. Both duelists had missed. In 1847 he regained the seat and won reelection in 1849, 1851, 1853, 1855 and 1857. On May 7, 1858, he resigned after becoming a United States Senator as a Democrat the previous day, replacing the resigning Asa Biggs. He was reelected but was expelled from the Senate for support of the rebellion.
[edit] Civil War
During the Civil War, Clingman commanded a brigade of infantry. Clingman's Brigade consisted of the 8th, 31st, 51st and 61st regiments of North Carolina Infantry. During the war, Clingman's Brigade fought at Goldsboro, Battery Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Globe Tavern, Fort Fisher and Bentonville.
[edit] Post-war career
After the Civil War, Clingman explored and measured mountains in western North Carolina and Tennessee. Tennessee's highest mountain, also partly in North Carolina, was named Clingman's Dome in his honor. He died in Morganton, NC and was buried in Asheville, NC.
| Preceded by Asa Biggs |
United States Senator (Class 3) from North Carolina 1858–1861 Served alongside: David S. Reid, Thomas Bragg |
Succeeded by vacant[1] |
