Henry Tazewell

Henry Tazewell
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office February 20, 1795 – December 8, 1795
President	George Washington
Preceded by	Ralph Izard
Succeeded by	Samuel Livermore
United States Senator from Virginia
In office December 29, 1794 – January 24, 1799
Preceded by	John Taylor
Succeeded by	Wilson C. Nicholas
Personal details
Born	(1753-11-27)November 27, 1753 Brunswick County, Virginia
Died	January 24, 1799(1799-01-24) (aged 45) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Anti-Administration
Alma mater	The College of William & Mary
Profession	Law
Signature

Henry Tazewell (November 27, 1753 – January 24, 1799) was an American politician who was instrumental in the early government of the U.S. state of Virginia. He was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. He served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1795.

He was the father of Littleton Tazewell. He graduated from the College of William and Mary at Williamsburg, Virginia in 1770 where he had studied law. He raised and was commissioned captain of a troop of cavalry in the Revolutionary War. Tazewell served as a member of the House of Burgesses in 1775. He was delegate to the State constitutional convention of 1775 and 1776. In 1778-1785 he was member of General Assembly. From 1785-1793, he was judge of the Virginia General Court, and elevated to Chief Justice of that court from 1789-1793. He also served as a judge on the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (later renamed the Virginia Supreme Court) in 1793. In 1794 he was elected into the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Taylor. In 1798 he was reelected, and served from December 29, 1794, until his death. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is interred in Christ Church Burial Ground.

Tazewell County, Virginia, and Tazewell, Tennessee, are both named after him.

External links

• Henry Tazewell at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Henry Tazewell at Find a Grave

United States Senate
Preceded by John Taylor	United States Senator (Class 2) from Virginia December 29, 1794 – January 24, 1799 Served alongside: Stevens T. Mason	Succeeded by Wilson C. Nicholas
Political offices
Preceded by Ralph Izard	President pro tempore of the United States Senate February 20, 1795 – December 8, 1795	Succeeded by Samuel Livermore