John Nelson | |
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17th United States Attorney General | |
In office July 1, 1843 – March 4, 1845 |
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President | John Tyler |
Preceded by | Hugh S. Legaré |
Succeeded by | John Y. Mason |
Personal details | |
Born | June 1, 1791 Frederick, Maryland, U.S. |
Died | January 18, 1860 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
(aged 68)
Political party | Whig |
Spouse(s) | Frances Harriotte Burrows Nelson |
Alma mater | College of William and Mary |
Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
John Nelson (June 1, 1791 – January 18, 1860) was Attorney General of the United States from 1843 to 1845 under John Tyler.
Nelson was born in Frederick, Maryland, the son of politician Roger Nelson. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1811 and was admitted to the bar in 1813, starting practice in Frederick. He held several local offices before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Maryland's fourth district. He served only one term, March 4, 1821 to March 3, 1823, and was not a candidate for reelection. Nelson received an A.M. degree from Princeton University in 1825. In 1831, he was appointed Chargé d'affaires to the Two Sicilies, a position he served in from 1831 to 1832. President John Tyler appointed him Attorney General of the United States on July 1, 1843 which he served until the end of the Tyler administration. He also served as United States Secretary of State ad interim for about a month in 1844 after the sudden death of the previous Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur. Nelson retired from public life and died in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 8, 1860.
United States House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by Samuel Ringgold |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th congressional district March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823 |
Succeeded by John Lee |
Legal offices | ||
Preceded by Hugh S. Legaré |
United States Attorney General Served under: John Tyler July 1, 1843 – March 4, 1845 |
Succeeded by John Y. Mason |
Diplomatic posts | ||
Preceded by (none) |
United States Ambassador to Italy October 24, 1831 – October 15, 1832 |
Succeeded by Enos T. Throop |
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