William Alexander Richardson
William Alexander Richardson | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
| In office January 12, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Orville H. Browning |
| Succeeded by | Richard Yates |
| 5th Governor of Nebraska Territory | |
| In office January 12, 1858 – December 5, 1858 | |
| President | James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Thomas B. Cuming |
| Succeeded by | Julius Sterling Morton |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1861 – January 12, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac N. Morris |
| Succeeded by | Owen Lovejoy |
| In office December 6, 1847 – August 25, 1856 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen A. Douglas |
| Succeeded by | Jacob C. Davis |
| 12th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office December 5, 1842 – December 2, 1844 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Hackleton |
| Succeeded by | Newton Cloud |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1838-1842 | |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office 1836–1838 1844–1846 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 16, 1811 Lexington, Kentucky, US |
| Died | December 27, 1875 (aged 64) Quincy, Illinois, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Centre College Transylvania University |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
William Alexander Richardson (January 16, 1811 – December 27, 1875) was a prominent Illinois Democratic politician before and during the American Civil War. A protege of Stephen Douglas, Richardson was an ardent proponent of Jacksonian democracy, popular sovereignty, and strict constructionism. During the American Civil War, he switched from supporting the conflict to join the Copperhead wing of the Democratic party and bitterly criticize President Abraham Lincoln.