Thomas Jenkins Semmes (December 16, 1824 – June 23, 1899) was a lawyer and politician in the state of Louisiana who served in the Confederate States Senate during much of the American Civil War.
Semmes was born in Washington, D.C. He studied law, passed the bar exam, and established a practice in New Orleans, Louisiana. Semmes served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, the state attorney general, and was a delegate to the Louisiana secession convention in 1861. He was later a Confederate Senator in 1862-1865. His home in Federal-occupied New Orleans was commandeered by order of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler to quarter Union troops. Semmes was a strong supporter and advocate of Louisiana troops, including the famed Louisiana Tigers, in which his brother Andrew served as a regimental surgeon.[1][2]
Semmes died in New Orleans and was interred in Metairie Cemetery.
| Confederate States Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| New institution | Confederate States Senator from Louisiana 1862–1865 Served alongside: Edward Sparrow |
Defeat of the Confederacy |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by E. Warren Moise |
Attorney General of Louisiana 1860–1864 |
Succeeded by F.S. Goode |