James Clark (Kentucky)

James Clark ( born January 16, 1779 at Bedford County, Virginia; † August 27, 1839 in Frankfort, Kentucky ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Kentucky.

Early years and political rise

James Clark came to Kentucky in 1794 and was privately educated. He then attended the Pisgah Academy in Woodford County. He studied law in Virginia and in 1797 admitted to the bar in Kentucky. Then he settled down with his office in Winchester.

His political career began in 1807 with the election into the House of Representatives from Kentucky. At the next election he was confirmed in his position, in 1810 he became a judge of a court of appeal, before he represented from 1813 to 1816 his state in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington. Then he was back to 1824, a judge in his home state of Kentucky. This was followed by 1825-1831 six more years in Congress. There he was a member of the Committee on the Territories. Clark, who belonged to the Whig Party, was finally 1831-1835 Member of the Senate of Kentucky.

Governor of Kentucky

1836 Clark was elected as a candidate of the Whigs with 55.8 % of the vote to Democrat Matthews Flournoy governor of Kentucky. His term began on August 30, 1836 and ended almost three years later, on August 27, 1839, with his death. During his tenure, he advocated for a public school system in all counties. Thus, the education system of the state should be extended nationwide. James Clark also called for a law that would impede the escape of slaves. An economic crisis erupted in 1837 made ​​him in the last years of his tenure, in addition to create.

After his death, his former Deputy Governor Charles A. Wickliffe took over the governorship and completed the opened term. James Clark was married twice and had three children. His younger brother Christopher (1767-1828) was a congressman for the state of Virginia.