David Wilmot

David Wilmot
Judge of the United States Court of Claims
In office
March 7, 1863 – March 16, 1868
Appointed byAbraham Lincoln
Preceded bySeat established by 12 Stat. 765
Succeeded bySamuel Milligan
United States Senator
from Pennsylvania
In office
March 14, 1861 – March 3, 1863
Preceded bySimon Cameron
Succeeded byCharles R. Buckalew
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th district
In office
March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1851
Preceded byGeorge Fuller
Succeeded byGalusha A. Grow
Personal details
Born(1814-01-20)January 20, 1814
Bethany, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 16, 1868(1868-03-16) (aged 54)
Towanda, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery
Towanda, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic (until 1848)
Free Soil (from 1848)
Republican (from 1854)
SpouseAnna Morgan
Children3
Signature

David Wilmot (January 20, 1814 – March 16, 1868) was an American politician and judge. He served as Representative and a Senator for Pennsylvania and as a judge of the Court of Claims. He is best known for being the prime sponsor and eponym of the Wilmot Proviso, a failed proposal to ban the expansion of slavery to western lands gained in the Mexican Cession. A northern Democrat when he introduced and supported the Proviso, he subsequently became a notable member of the anti-slavery Free Soil Party. Later, Wilmot was instrumental in establishing the Republican Party in Pennsylvania.