John Brown FRANCIS, Congress, RI (1791-1864)

FRANCIS, John Brown, (grandson of John Brown of Rhode Island), a Senator from Rhode Island; born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 31, 1791; attended the common schools of Providence, R.I., and graduated from Brown University, Providence, R.I., in 1808; engaged in mercantile pursuits; attended the Litchfield (Conn.) Law School; admitted to the bar but never practiced; member, State house of representatives 1821-1829; member of the board of trustees of Brown University 1828-1857; member, State senate 1831, 1842; Governor of Rhode Island 1833-1838; chancellor of Brown University 1841-1854; elected as a Law and Order candidate to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Sprague and served from January 25, 1844, to March 3, 1845; was not a candidate for reelection; chairman, Committee on Engrossed Bills (Twenty-eighth Congress); member, State senate 1845-1856; retired from public life and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death at “Spring Green,” Warwick, R.I., August 9, 1864; interment in North Burial Ground, Providence, R.I.

Bibliography

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present