George Bryan

George Bryan (* 1731 in Dublin, Ireland, † January 27, 1791 ) was an American politician. In 1778 he was Acting President of Pennsylvania.

Career

The exact date of birth and place of death of George Bryan are unknown. In 1752 Bryan emigrated to the then British colonies in America. He settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was doing business with his father. Although this partnership broke up soon, but the young George was then a successful businessman in the import and export business. He was also active in the Presbyterian Church, in which he gave in the 1750s and 1760s between two opposing factions.

Bryan was an early supporter of the independence movement. Already in 1765 he joined actively against the Stamp Act, which led to its interim financial ruin because he joined a trade boycott. Beginning of the 1770s he held back because of his politically at that time ailing health somewhat. After the adoption of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, he was elected on March 5, 1777 as the first vice president of the then independent state. He was the representative of Thomas Wharton. This position corresponded to the later office of lieutenant governor. After the death of Wharton Bryan took over in accordance with the Constitution on May 23, 1778 president. His official title was controversial at that time in Pennsylvania. It was about constitutional questions like whether he should now be normal or only acting ( acting ) President. Other politicians he did not even want this item to concede and titled him continue as vice president. This is reminiscent of the later discussions of President John Tyler, 1841 to the late William H. Harrison succeeded, and its status at that time was also controversial. In any case, he was between 23 May 1778 to December 1, 1778 head of state of Pennsylvania.

In June 1778 the government of Pennsylvania's Lancaster returned to Philadelphia, she had nine months earlier flee from the advancing British. At this time the Revolutionary War was still in full swing. On December 1, 1778 Bryan was clearly beaten by Joseph Reed in the presidential election in Pennsylvania, but he was re-elected vice president. This office he held until his resignation on October 11, 1779. After that, he was a judge of the Supreme Court and was a member of the General Assembly of that State. Bryan was an early opponent of slavery. In 1787 he opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it did not consider the two- chamber system with the House and Senate for good. Bryan was also curator of the University of Pennsylvania. From 1779 to 1788 he was treasurer of the Board of Trustees.