George R. Riddle

George R. Riddle
United States Senator from Delaware
In office February 2, 1864 – March 29, 1867
Preceded by	James A. Bayard, Jr.
Succeeded by	James A. Bayard, Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district
In office March 4, 1851 – March 4, 1855
Preceded by	John W. Houston
Succeeded by	Elisha D. Cullen
Personal details
Born	1817 New Castle, Delaware
Died	March 29, 1867(1867-03-29) (aged 49) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Wilmington, Delaware
Alma mater	Delaware College
Profession	engineer, lawyer

George Read Riddle (1817 – March 29, 1867) was an American engineer, lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as U.S. Representative and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Riddle was born in New Castle, Delaware and studied civil engineering at Delaware College, now the University of Delaware. In addition he studied law and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1848, beginning a practice in Wilmington, Delaware. With his engineering background, he was named as a commissioner to retrace the Mason–Dixon line in 1849, and was otherwise engaged in the construction of railroads and canals. During the Civil War, Riddle served with the Home Guard of Wilmington. His wife's name was Margaret.

Political career

From 1849 to 1850, Riddle served as a Deputy Attorney General of the United States. After losing in the election of 1844, he was elected to the U.S. House in 1850 and served for two terms from March 4, 1851 until March 3, 1855. During the 33rd Congress, Riddle was the Chairman of the Committee on Engraving. Running for a third term he was defeated in 1854 by Elisha D. Cullen.

On February 2, 1864 Riddle was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator James A. Bayard, Jr. He served until his death on March 29, 1867.

Death and legacy

Riddle died while in office at Washington, D.C. and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery at Wilmington.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who also took office March 4, but for a six-year term. In this case he was completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the resignation of James A. Bayard, Jr.

Notes

References

• Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress. Middletown, DE: Roger A. Martin. ISBN 0-924117-26-5. 
• Wilson, W. Emerson (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, MA: Deltos Publishing Company. 

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware’s Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
•  "Riddle, George Reade". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900. 

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965

United States Senators from Delaware Class 1 Read Latimer White Horsey C Rodney Thomas Clayton McLane Naudain R Bayard John M. Clayton Wales J Bayard Jr Riddle J Bayard Jr T Bayard Sr Gray Ball H du Pont Wolcott TC du Pont T Bayard Jr Townsend Tunnell Williams Roth Carper Class 2 Bassett Vining Joshua Clayton Wells J Bayard Sr Wells Van Dyke D Rodney Ridgely John M. Clayton Thomas Clayton Spruance John M. Clayton Comegys Bates W Saulsbury Sr E Saulsbury Higgins Kenney Allee Richardson W Saulsbury Jr Ball TC du Pont Hastings Hughes Buck Frear Boggs Biden Kaufman Coons

Members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware Vining Patten Latimer Bayard C. Rodney Broom Van Dyke Ridgely Cooper T. Clayton McLane Hall D. Rodney Johns Milligan Robinson G. Rodney J. Houston Riddle Cullen Whiteley Fisher Temple Smithers Nicholson Biggs Lofland J. Williams Martin Lore Penington Causey Willis Handy J. Hoffecker W. Hoffecker Ball H. Houston Burton Heald Brockson Miller Polk Layton Boyce R. Houston Adams Stewart Allen G. Williams Traynor Willey Boggs Warburton McDowell Haskell Roth du Pont Evans Carper Castle Carney