Joseph Kent

Joseph Kent ( born January 14, 1779 at Calvert County, Maryland, † November 24, 1837 in Bladensburg, Maryland ) was an American politician and 1826-1829 Governor of the State of Maryland, which he also represented in both houses of Congress.

Early years and political rise

Joseph Kent visited the Lower Marlboro Academy and then studied medicine. After graduating, he began to practice in Lower Marlboro and Bladensburg. Around the year 1807, he acquired " Rosemount ", a larger property near Bladensburg. Since then, he worked alongside his medical work as a farmer. At that time he also served as lieutenant colonel of the militia army doctor from Maryland.

In 1810 he was elected as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party in the U.S. House of Representatives. There he graduated between 4 March 1811 and the March 3, 1815 two legislative sessions. He was temporarily Chairman of the Committee for the administration of the District of Columbia. Kent also supported the War of 1812. After a four year break, he was 1819-1826 again deputy in the House of Representatives, where he was once chairman of the District-of- Columbia Committee.

Maryland Governor and U.S. Senator

After he was elected by the Legislature of the State of Maryland as the new governor, Kent resigned his seat in Congress. Between 2 January 1826 and 15 January 1829 he officiated then, after two re-election as governor. During this time the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was established, which was to begin to build a railway network in the coming years. Improving infrastructure in Maryland was one of the main goals of the Governor. Also under Governor Kent prison reform was decided. Kent also strove to improve the school system.

After the end of his tenure Kent was elected in 1832 as Nationalrepublikaner in the U.S. Senate. There he took over from Senator Samuel Smith. This office he held since March 4, 1833 until his death on November 24, 1837; during this time he joined the Whigs. Even as a senator he was chairman of the Committee for the administration of the District of Columbia. He continued his previous work on the House of Representatives. Kent was an opponent of the Bank of the United States. At this point, he supported President Andrew Jackson. However, Kent has participated in a total of only four meetings of the Senate because of his poor health. He died from the injuries he had sustained in a fall from a horse. His successor in the Senate was then Duhurst William Merrick. Joseph Kent was married twice and had eleven children.