John LAURANCE, Congress, NY (1750-1810)

LAURANCE, John, a Delegate, a Representative, and a Senator from New York; born near Falmouth, England, in 1750; immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City in 1767; pursued academic studies; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1772 and practiced in New York City; served in the Revolution as a commissioned officer; appointed judge advocate-general in 1777 and presided at the trial of Maj. John Andre; regent of the University of the State of New York 1784; trustee of Columbia College 1784-1810; Delegate to the Continental Congress 1785-1787; member, State senate 1789-1790; elected to the First and Second Congresses (March 4, 1789-March 3, 1793); appointed by President George Washington to be United States judge of the district of New York in May 1794, and served until November 8, 1796, when he resigned, having been elected Senator; elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rufus King and served from November 9, 1796, until August 1800, when he resigned; served as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Fifth Congress; died in New York City November 11, 1810; interment in the First Presbyterian Churchyard, Fifth Avenue and Twelfth Street.

Bibliography

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