William Smith (South Carolina senator)

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For other persons named William Smith, see William Smith (disambiguation).
William Smith
William Smith (South Carolina senator)
Junior Senator, South Carolina
In office
December 4, 1816 – March 3, 1823
November 29, 1826 – March 3, 1831
Preceded by John Taylor
William Harper
Succeeded by Robert Y. Hayne
Stephen D. Miller
Born September 6, 1762(1762-09-06)
North Carolina, U.S.
Died June 26, 1840 (aged 77)
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Political party Democratic-Republican, Democrat
Profession Politician, Lawyer

William Smith (September 6, 1762 – June 26, 1840) was chosen as a Democratic-Republican to the U.S. Senate representing South Carolina in 1816. The legislature declined to re-elect him when his term expired in 1823. He was narrowly chosen Senator in 1826 and was again replaced in 1831.

Smith was one of the first Southerners to argue, at the time of the Missouri Compromise in 1820, that slavery was a positive good; nevertheless, he opposed John C. Calhoun's doctrine and tactic of nullification. In 1828, seven electors from Georgia chose him for Vice President, instead of Calhoun, the Democratic nominee. He was also a splinter candidate for Vice President in 1836: Virginia refused to accept Richard Mentor Johnson as the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, and voted for the ticket of Martin Van Buren and William Smith, putting Johnson two electoral votes short of a majority; the Senate chose Johnson.

In 1832, he moved to Louisiana, having lost his political base in South Carolina; in 1836, he moved on to Huntsville, Alabama, and was elected to the Alabama Legislature; he held that seat for the rest of his life.

On March 3, 1837, outgoing President Andrew Jackson nominated Smith to the Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed Smith's nomination by a vote of 23–18; nevertheless, Smith declined to serve.

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Preceded by
John Taylor		 United States Senator (Class 2) from South Carolina
1816–1823
Served alongside: John Gaillard		 Succeeded by
Robert Y. Hayne
Preceded by
William Harper		 United States Senator (Class 3) from South Carolina
1826–1831
Served alongside: Robert Y. Hayne		 Succeeded by
Stephen D. Miller
Preceded by
(none)		 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate(1)
1828 (lost)		 Succeeded by
Martin Van Buren
Preceded by
Martin Van Buren		 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate(2)
1836 (lost)		 Succeeded by
Richard M. Johnson,
Littleton W. Tazewell,
James K. Polk(3)
Notes and references
1. The Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee split this year between Smith and John C. Calhoun.
2. The Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee split this year between Smith and Richard M. Johnson.
3. The Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee was split this year between three candidates.
v • d • e
United States Senators from South Carolina
Class 2: P. Butler • Hunter • Pinckney • Sumter • Taylor • W. Smith • R. Hayne • Calhoun • Huger • Calhoun • Elmore • Barnwell • Rhett • De Saussure • Evans • A. Hayne • Chesnut • Robertson • M. Butler • Tillman • Benet • Pollock • Dial • Blease • Byrnes • Lumpkin • Peace • Maybank • Daniel • Thurmond • Wofford • Thurmond • Graham
Class 3: Izard • Read • Colhoun • P. Butler • Gaillard • Harper • W. Smith • Miller • Preston • McDuffie • A. Butler • Hammond • Sawyer • Patterson • Hampton • Irby • Earle • McLaurin • Latimer • Gary • E. Smith • Hall • Johnston • Russell • Hollings • DeMint
 United States Senate