George R. Riddle

George Read Riddle (* 1817 in New Castle, Delaware, † March 29, 1867 in Washington DC ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the State of Delaware in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

After schooling sat George Riddle his education with a degree in civil engineering at Delaware College, later the University of Delaware to continue. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1848, after which he opened a legal firm in Wilmington. His engineering training was the decisive factor that he was appointed in 1849 a commission to re-measure the Mason - Dixon line. Moreover, he was engaged in the construction of railway lines and canals. From 1849 to 1850 Riddle also exercised the office of the Deputy Attorney General of the United States.

After he had first applied in 1844 for a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States and lost to the Whig John W. Houston, Riddle ran again in 1850 and sat all this time with 129 votes ahead of George B. Rodney through. Two years later he was confirmed in office before he was defeated in 1854 Elisha D. Cullen of the American Party.

During the Civil War Riddle fought in a regiment of the Home Guard from Wilmington. A consequence of the war was that the U.S. senators were stopped to his vows to the Union. Delaware Senator James A. Bayard refused to take the oath, and resigned from the Congress, whereupon George Riddle was elected on February 2, 1864 as his successor. However, he died before the end of his term in March 1867 in Washington; his successor James Bayard now been appointed.