Kentucky Governor, U.S. Congressman. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced to practice law in Bardstown, Kentucky. During the War of 1812, he served in the U.S. Army, as an aide to General Winlock and General Caldwell. He also was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives (1812-13, 22-23). In 1823, he was elected as a Jackson Republican to the Eighteenth Congress and to the next four succeeding Congresses, serving until 1833. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he served again was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives (1833-35) and was elected the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, serving 1836-39. Upon the death of Governor James Clark, Wickliffe assumed the duties as the 14th Governor of Kentucky, serving 1839-40. As Governor, he advocated raising property taxes in an effort to preserve the state’s unstable credit rating. After leaving office, he was appointed the 11th Postmaster General by President John Tyler, serving 1841-45. He later served as a presidential envoy sent on a mission to Texas regarding the issue of annexation prior to the Civil War and again was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving 1861-63. After leaving politic, he lived in retirement until his death.
Kentucky Governor, U.S. Congressman. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced to practice law in Bardstown, Kentucky. During the War of 1812, he served in the U.S. Army, as an aide to General Winlock and General Caldwell. He also was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives (1812-13, 22-23). In 1823, he was elected as a Jackson Republican to the Eighteenth Congress and to the next four succeeding Congresses, serving until 1833. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he served again was a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives (1833-35) and was elected the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, serving 1836-39. Upon the death of Governor James Clark, Wickliffe assumed the duties as the 14th Governor of Kentucky, serving 1839-40. As Governor, he advocated raising property taxes in an effort to preserve the state’s unstable credit rating. After leaving office, he was appointed the 11th Postmaster General by President John Tyler, serving 1841-45. He later served as a presidential envoy sent on a mission to Texas regarding the issue of annexation prior to the Civil War and again was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving 1861-63. After leaving politic, he lived in retirement until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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