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Charles A. Wickliffe

Charles Anderson Wickliffe, politician, born in Bardstown, Kentucky, 8 June, 1788; died in Howard county, Maryland , 31 October, 1869. He was educated at the Bardstown grammar-school , studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1809, and began practice in Bardstown. He soon achieved distinction as a lawyer. He was aide to General Samuel Caldwell at the battle of the Thames, 5 October, 1813, was a member of the state house of representatives in 1814-'23, and sat in congress from Kentucky in 1823-'33, having been chosen as a Henry Clay Democrat. He was then elected again to the state legislature, and was its speaker in 1834. In 1836 he was elected lieutenant-governor of his native state, and in 1839 he became acting governor. In 1841 he was appointed postmaster-general by President Tyler, holding the post till March, 1845, and in the latter year he was sent by President Polk; on a secret mission to Texas in the interests of annexation. He was a member of the State constitutional convention of 1845 , a member of the Peace congress in February, 1861, served again in congress in 1861-'03, having been chosen as a Union Whig, and was a delegate to the Chicago national Democratic convention of 1864 . Mr. Wickliffe was wealthy, and his aristocratic bearing and contempt for the poorer classes won him the name of "the Duke."

Last updated: 10-19-2005 08:59:17
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