George W. Campbell

George Washington Campbell ( born February 9, 1769 in Tongue, Scotland, † February 17, 1848 in Nashville, Tennessee ) was an American politician ( Democratic- Republican), who belonged to the cabinet of U.S. President James Madison as finance minister.

Family, study and career

Campbell was born into a family from the Highlands of Scotland, who settled in 1772 in North Carolina. After a general education studies at the College of New Jersey, from which he graduated in 1794, he graduated in law. Shortly after admission to the bar in North Carolina, he opened a law office in Knoxville.

Between 1809-1811 he was Associate Justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court

Political career

Congressman and U.S. Senator

Campbell began his political career in 1803 with the election of the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. There he represented until 1809, the interests of the State of Tennessee and was from 1807 to 1809 Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means.

On October 8, 1811 was the first time after the resignation of Jenkin Whiteside his election as U.S. Senator. This mandate he held until February 11, 1814. On October 10, 1815 he was again elected a member of the Senate. During his tenure, he was on 4 December 1815 to his resignation on 20 April 1818 Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Finance Minister and Ambassador to Russia

On February 4, 1814, U.S. President James Madison appointed him as successor to Treasury Albert Gallatin in his cabinet. The caused by the British -American War of 1812 dramatic budget situation certain from the beginning of its budgetary policy. Since no investment funds were available, he had to convince the citizens to hold government bonds. Due to the catastrophic financial situation he found himself compelled, however, to issue these bonds at high interest rates. After the occupation of Washington, D.C. in September 1814 the British Army there was the prestige of the government at a historic low point.

After he had succeeded no noticeable improvement in the budget situation, he resigned on October 5, 1814 for reasons of health from this office.

In April 1818, he took up his appointment as ambassador to Russia, where he became the successor of William Pinkney. After his resignation from the post in 1821 he drew largely from political life and settled later until his death as a lawyer in Nashville low. Only from 1831 to 1835, he belonged to a Commission which dealt with claims for damages due to French looting.