William Wyatt Bibb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Wyatt Bibb
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| 1st Governor of Alabama | |
| In office December 14, 1819 – July 10, 1820 Territory: March 6, 1817– December 14, 1819 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Bibb |
| United States Senator | |
| In office November 6, 1813 – November 9, 1816 |
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| Preceded by | William B. Bulloch |
| Succeeded by | George Troup |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's at-large district |
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| In office January 26, 1807 – November 6, 1813 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Spalding |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Cuthbert |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from Elbert County |
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| In office 1803–1805 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1781 Amelia County, Virginia |
| Died | July 10, 1820 (aged 38) Elmore County, Alabama |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Freeman |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary; University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Physician |
| Signature |  |
William Wyatt Bibb (born October 2, 1781 – died July 10, 1820) was an important American politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Georgia. Later, he became the first governor of the Alabama Territory. When Alabama became a state, he was also its very first governor.
Bibb was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. He served as governor of Alabama until he died in 1820. His death was caused by a horse riding accident. He is one of only three people in U.S. history to be a U.S. Senator from one state and a governor of another. Two counties are named after him: Bibb County, Alabama and Bibb County, Georgia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Wyatt Bibb was born on October 2, 1781. His birthplace was Amelia County, Virginia. His father, Captain William Bibb, was a soldier in the Continental Army. He fought during the American Revolutionary War. His father also served in the Virginia state legislature.
Around 1784, William's family moved to Georgia. Many other Virginians, including war veterans, moved there too. They received land for their service in the war. The Bibb family was among the first settlers in Elbert County. They started tobacco farms there.
Bibb likely studied at home before college. He attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia. Then, he went to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree in 1801. After that, he returned to Georgia and started working as a doctor. In 1803, he married Mary Freeman.
Starting a Political Career
Bibb began his political journey early. In 1802, at age 21, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. He served one two-year term starting in 1803.
In 1806, he was elected to the United States Congress. He filled a spot in the Ninth session of Congress. He was re-elected four times and served until 1813.
Later, the Georgia state legislature chose him for the U.S. Senate. He filled a vacancy there and served until 1816. As a Senator, Bibb opposed changing how the president was elected.
Governor of Alabama
In 1817, U.S. President James Monroe appointed Bibb. He became the first governor of the new Alabama Territory. Alabama officially became the 22nd U.S. state on December 14, 1819.
Bibb's main job was to set up the new state government. Huntsville was chosen for the constitutional convention. Bibb was elected governor by the people. He won against Marmaduke Williams.
The first capital city was Cahawba. It was a new town on the Alabama frontier. Later, the capital moved to Tuscaloosa in 1826. Finally, it moved to Montgomery in 1846.
During Bibb's time as governor, the Alabama state militia was created. The state also began its judicial system. Appointments were made to the Supreme Court of Alabama.
Henry Hitchcock became the first Attorney General of Alabama. He also served as the first Secretary of State of Alabama for a short time. Later, Thomas A. Rodgers was elected as the second Secretary of State. The first meeting of the Alabama state legislature happened from October to December 1819. William R. King and John W. Walker were chosen as Alabama's first U.S. Senators.
Bibb is one of only three people to be a state governor and a U.S. Senator from a different state. The others are Sam Houston and Mitt Romney.
Death and Legacy
William Bibb died at age 38 on July 10, 1820. He was thrown from his horse during a thunderstorm. He suffered serious internal injuries.
His brother, Thomas Bibb, took over as governor. Thomas was the president of the State Senate at the time. William Bibb is buried in Coosada, Alabama. Because he was Alabama's first governor, his picture is on the Alabama Centennial half dollar. This special coin was made in 1921.
See also
- Thomas Bibb - William's brother
