Hugh Nelson (Virginia politician)

For other people named Hugh Nelson, see Hugh Nelson (disambiguation).

Portrait miniature of Hugh Nelson

Hugh Nelson (September 30, 1768 – March 18, 1836) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia, son of Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Biography

Born in Yorktown, Virginia, Nelson graduated from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1780. He served in the Senate of Virginia 1786-1791, and in the Virginia House of Delegates 1805-1809 and 1828-1829. He was Speaker of the latter house 1807-1809. Nelson also served as judge of the general court.

Nelson was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth and to the five succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1811, until his resignation on January 14, 1823, having received an appointment in the diplomatic service. He served as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary (Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Seventeenth Congresses). Nelson was appointed by President James Monroe as United States Minister to Spain on January 15, 1823, and served until November 23, 1824.

Nelson died at his home, "Belvoir," Albemarle County, Virginia, March 18, 1836. He was interred in Belvoir Cemetery, Cismont, Virginia.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Hugh Nelson (id: N000035)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress