George Trenholm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Confederate States Secretary of the Treasury | |
| In office July 18, 1864 – April 27, 1865 | |
| President | Jefferson Davis |
| Preceded by | Christopher Memminger |
| Succeeded by | John Reagan (Acting) |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Charleston district | |
| In office 1852–1856 | |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Charleston district | |
| In office 1860–1863 | |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Charleston district | |
| In office 1874–1876 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 25, 1807 Charleston, South Carolina, US |
| Died | December 9, 1876 (aged 69) Charleston, South Carolina, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anna Helen Holmes |
George Alfred Trenholm (February 25, 1807 – December 9, 1876) was a South Carolina businessman, financier, politician, and slaveholding planter who owned several plantations and strongly supported the Confederate States of America. He was appointed as its Secretary of the Treasury during the final year of the American Civil War.[1][2]
His merchant firm was estimated to have made $9 million by blockade running with its 60 ships during the war. Although he was imprisoned briefly after the war and suffered economic setbacks, Trenholm prospered. In the postwar years, Trenholm was a prominent philanthropist, aiding black and white South Carolinians. He also served on railroad and bank boards. He was elected to state office again in 1874 and died in office.
He was one of the few Confederate cabinet members who returned to political office in the United States after the Civil War.
- ^ Downey, "George Alfred Trenholm", South Carolina Encyclopedia
- ^ Appleton's Cyclopedia, vol. VI, p 159