George Davis (politician)
- For the U.S. Representative from Illinois, see George R. Davis.
| George Davis | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Early photograph of Davis | |
| 4th Confederate States Attorney General | |
| In office January 2, 1864 – April 24, 1865 |
|
| President | Jefferson Davis |
| Vice President | Alexander Stephens |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Watts |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1820 Wilmington, North Carolina, USA |
| Died | February 23, 1896 (aged 75) USA |
| Resting place | Oakdale Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relations | Thomas Frederick Davis & Sarah Isabella Eagle (parents) |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Profession | Law |
George Davis (March 1, 1820 – February 23, 1896) was a Confederate States of America political figure and the last Confederate Attorney General, serving from 1864 to 1865.
He was not related to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Contents |
[edit] Early life and career
Born near Wilmington, North Carolina, Davis attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1838. He subsequently studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1840. In 1848 he became general counsel of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad. He held this position the rest of his life.
[edit] Political career
Davis was a delegate from North Carolina to the unsuccessful Washington Peace Conference of February 4–27, 1861.
[edit] After secession
Davis was a delegate to the Provisional Confederate Congress in 1861–1862, and was then elected to the Senate, where he served from 1862 to 1864. In December 1863, President Jefferson Davis appointed him Attorney General. He served in this position from January 2, 1864 until April 24, 1865, in the last days of the Confederacy.
[edit] After the war
Davis was captured by U.S. forces at Key West, Florida on October 18, 1865, and was imprisoned at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y. He spent several months at Fort Hamilton before being pardoned in 1866. He then returned to law practice in Wilmington.
[edit] Legacy
In World War II, the United States liberty ship SS George Davis was named in his honor.[1] A statue of Davis also stands in Wilmington, North Carolina.
[edit] References
- ^ "Liberty Ships – Part 2: EMC #s 768 thru 1551". shipbuildinghistory.com. http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/libertyships2.htm. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
[edit] Bibliography
- Patrick, Rembert W. (1944). Jefferson Davis and His Cabinet. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. pp. 104–120.
[edit] External links
- "George Davis (politician)". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8065987. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
- Short biography csawardept.com
| Confederate States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by (none) |
Representative to the Provisional Confederate Congress from North Carolina 1861 |
Succeeded by (none) |
| Confederate States Senate | ||
| New institution | Confederate States Senator from North Carolina February 18, 1862 – January 1, 1864 Served alongside: William T. Dortch |
Succeeded by Edwin G. Reade |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by Thomas H. Watts |
Confederate States Attorney General January 2, 1864 – April 24, 1865 |
Succeeded by (none) |
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- 1820 births
- 1896 deaths
- Confederate States Cabinet members
- Confederate States Senators
- Deputies and delegates of the Provisional Confederate Congress
- North Carolina lawyers
- People from Wilmington, North Carolina
- People of North Carolina in the American Civil War
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni
