- William F. De Saussure
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William Ford De Saussure United States Senator
from South CarolinaIn office
May 10, 1852 – March 4, 1853Preceded by Robert Rhett Succeeded by Josiah J. Evans Personal details Born February 22, 1792
Charleston, South CarolinaDied March 13, 1870 (aged 78)
Columbia, South CarolinaPolitical party Democratic William Ford De Saussure (February 22, 1792 – March 13, 1870) was a United States Senator from South Carolina. Born in Charleston, the son of Henry William de Saussure and Elizabeth Ford De Saussure. He graduated from Harvard University in 1810, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced in Charleston and Columbia. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1846 and a judge of the chancery court in 1847.
De Saussure was appointed, and subsequently elected, as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of R. Barnwell Rhett and served from May 10, 1852, to March 4, 1853; he resumed the practice of law in Columbia, and was a trustee of South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) at Columbia for many years. In December 1860 he was a delegate to South Carolina's Secession Convention and became a signer of the Ordinance of Secession which led directly to the opening hostilities of the Civil War. He died in Columbia in 1870; interment was in the First Presbyterian Churchyard.
Famous family members
The descendants of William Ford De Saussure include Arthur Ravenel, Jr. (1927-), a member of the United States Congress who represented South Carolina from 1987-1995.
References
United States Senate Preceded by
Robert B. RhettUnited States Senator (Class 2) from South Carolina
1852–1853
Served alongside: Andrew P. ButlerSucceeded by
Josiah J. EvansUnited States Senators from South Carolina Class 2 P. Butler · Hunter · Pinckney · Sumter · Taylor · W. Smith · R. Hayne · Calhoun · Huger · Calhoun · Elmore · Barnwell · Rhett · De Saussure · Evans · A. Hayne · Chesnut · Robertson · M. Butler · Tillman · Benet · Pollock · Dial · Blease · Byrnes · Lumpkin · Peace · Maybank · Daniel · Thurmond · Wofford · Thurmond · GrahamClass 3 Categories:- 1792 births
- 1870 deaths
- Harvard University alumni
- Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
- South Carolina state court judges
- United States Senators from South Carolina
- South Carolina Democrats
- Democratic Party United States Senators
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