William Alexander Graham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Graham
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| Confederate States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office February 18, 1864 – May 10, 1865 |
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| Preceded by | Edwin Godwin Reade |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| 20th United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office August 2, 1850 – July 25, 1852 |
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| President | Millard Fillmore |
| Preceded by | William Ballard Preston |
| Succeeded by | John P. Kennedy |
| 30th Governor of North Carolina | |
| In office January 1, 1845 – January 1, 1849 |
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| Preceded by | John Motley Morehead |
| Succeeded by | Charles Manly |
| United States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office November 25, 1840 – March 3, 1843 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Strange |
| Succeeded by | William Henry Haywood Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Alexander Graham
September 5, 1804 Lincolnton, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 1875 (aged 70) Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig (before 1860) Constitutional Union (1860–1861) Democratic (1861–1865, 1868–1875) National Union (1865–1868) |
| Spouse | Susannah Washington |
| Children | |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) |
William Alexander Graham (born September 5, 1804 – died August 11, 1875) was an important American politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for North Carolina from 1840 to 1843. Later, he was a senator in the Confederate States Senate from 1864 to 1865. Graham also served as the 30th governor of North Carolina from 1845 to 1849. He became the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1850 to 1852 under President Millard Fillmore. In 1852, he was the Whig Party's choice for Vice President. He ran alongside General Winfield Scott.
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Early Life and School Days
William Graham was born at Vesuvius Furnace. This place was near Lincolnton, North Carolina. His family had Scots-Irish roots. His grandfather, James Graham, came from Drumbo, County Down, Northern Ireland. He settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Graham went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated from there in 1824. After college, he studied law. He became a lawyer in 1825. He started his law practice in Hillsborough.
Becoming a Leader in Politics
From 1833 to 1840, Graham was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons. He represented Orange County. He was chosen to be the speaker of that house two times.
In 1840, Graham was elected to the United States Senate. He was a member of the Whig Party. He filled a spot that became open when another senator resigned. He served in the Senate from November 25, 1840, to March 3, 1843. During his time, he led the Senate Committee on Claims. His older brother, James Graham, was also a politician. He had been representing North Carolina in the House since 1833.
Serving North Carolina and the Nation
From 1845 to 1849, William Graham served as the Governor of North Carolina. He was offered jobs as an ambassador to Spain and Russia in 1849, but he said no.
In 1850, he was chosen to be the Secretary of the Navy. This was part of President Millard Fillmore's team. He held this job until 1852. In the 1852 presidential election, he ran for Vice President. He was the Whig Party's candidate with Winfield Scott. However, they did not win the election. They only received votes from four states: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Vermont.
Graham was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1854 to 1866.
During the Civil War
William Graham was a "Unionist." This means he wanted the states to stay together. He was against the early efforts for states to leave the Union. However, after the attack on Fort Sumter, he voted for North Carolina to secede.
Graham became a senator in the Confederate Senate from 1864 to 1865. In April 1865, the Confederacy was close to losing the war. Graham led a group, including another former governor, David Swain. They went to Union General William T. Sherman. They asked for a truce to save Raleigh, North Carolina's capital, from being destroyed. General Sherman agreed to their request.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1866, Graham was elected to the United States Senate again. But North Carolina had not yet rejoined the Union. So, he could not officially take his seat. From 1867 to 1875, he was on the board of the Peabody Fund. This fund helped with education in the South after the Civil War. From 1873 to 1875, he helped settle a border dispute between Virginia and Maryland.
William Graham passed away in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Hillsborough. This cemetery is next to the Presbyterian Church.
Honoring His Memory
Several things were named after William Graham:
- The United States Navy ship, USS Graham (DD-192)
- The World War II Liberty ship SS William A. Graham
- The city of Graham, North Carolina
- Graham County, North Carolina
His former home, Montrose Gardens, is in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Some buildings he and his family built are still there. He lived in the Nash-Hooper House in Hillsborough from 1869 until 1875. This house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
One of Graham's sons, also named William A. Graham, became a state lawmaker. He also became the state agriculture commissioner. Two other sons, Augustus and John, also became politicians. His daughter, Susan, married Walter Clark.
In 1842, John H. Hewitt wrote a song called The Old Family Clock. He dedicated it to Mrs. W. A. Graham.
