David Campbell (Virginia)

For other people of the same name, see David Campbell (disambiguation).

David Campbell
Governor of Virginia (1837 to 1840) State Senator (1820 to 1824)
Personal details
Born	August 7, 1779(1779-08-07) Washington County (later Smyth County), Virginia
Died	March 19, 1859(1859-03-19) (aged 79) "Montcalm," Abingdon, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Maria Hamilton Campbell
Children	none

David Campbell (August 7, 1779 – March 19, 1859) was the 27th Governor of Virginia from 1837 to 1840.

Campbell was born in a part of Washington County, Virginia, that later became Smyth County. He was a successful merchant in Abingdon, Virginia, and served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812.

As governor Campbell unsuccessfully advocated creation of a statewide system of compulsory education. He called a special session of the General Assembly that helped Virginia weather the financial Panic of 1837.

His brother John Campbell (1787 or 1788 – by 29 January 1867) served as treasurer of the United States from 1829 to 1839. Another brother, Edward Campbell (1781–1833), represented Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Washington Counties in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829–1830.

References

• John T. Kneebone et al., eds., Dictionary of Virginia Biography (Richmond: The Library of Virginia, 1998– ), 2:560–563. ISBN 0-88490-199-8.

External links

• A Guide to the Executive Papers of Governor David Campbell, 1837-1840 at The Library of Virginia

Political offices
Preceded by Wyndham Robertson Acting Governor	Governor of Virginia 1837–1840	Succeeded by Thomas Walker Gilmer