James McDowell

For the United States Representative from Indiana, see James F. McDowell.

James McDowell
Daguerreotype portrait of Governor McDowell
29th Governor of Virginia
In office 1843–1846
Preceded by	John Munford Gregory
Succeeded by	William Smith
Personal details
Born	October 13, 1795 Rockbridge County, Virginia
Died	August 24, 1851 Lexington, Virginia
Political party	Democratic

James McDowell (October 13, 1795 – August 24, 1851) was a U.S. Congressman and the 29th Governor of Virginia from 1843 to 1846.

McDowell was born at "Cherry Grove," near Rockbridge County, Virginia, on October 13, 1795. He attended a classical school at Greenville, Virginia, a private school at Brownsburg, Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Lexington, Virginia, and Yale College He graduated from Princeton College in 1817 and studied law. He was admitted to the bar but did not practice. He was a member of the State house of delegates 1831–1835 and again in 1838. He was chosen as Governor of Virginia in 1843. He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Taylor. He was reelected to the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Congresses and served from March 6, 1846, to March 3, 1851. McDowell died on his estate "Col Alto" near Lexington, August 24, 1851. He was interred in Presbyterian Cemetery.

McDowell was the brother-in-law of Senator Thomas Hart Benton. McDowell County, West Virginia was formed in 1858 and named in honor of Governor McDowell.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• A Guide to the Executive Papers of Governor James McDowell, 1843-1845 at The Library of Virginia
• James McDowell helped shape history of Rockbridge County from The News Leader

Political offices
Preceded by John Munford Gregory Acting Governor	Governor of Virginia 1843–1846	Succeeded by William Smith