William Wirt | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Attorney_General_William_Wirt.jpg) Portrait, c. 1810–1834 | |
| 9th United States Attorney General | |
| In office November 13, 1817 – March 4, 1829 | |
| President | James Monroe John Quincy Adams |
| Preceded by | Richard Rush |
| Succeeded by | John M. Berrien |
| United States Attorney for the District of Virginia | |
| In office 1816–1817 | |
| President | James Madison James Monroe |
| Preceded by | George Hay |
| Succeeded by | Robert Stanard |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Richmond City | |
| In office December 5, 1808 – December 4, 1809 | |
| Preceded by | John Foushee |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Stevenson |
| 6th Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office December 2, 1799 – December 6, 1802 | |
| Preceded by | John Stewart |
| Succeeded by | James Pleasants |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1772 Bladensburg, Maryland, British America |
| Died | February 18, 1834 (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (Before 1825) Anti-Masonic (1832–1834) |
| Spouse(s) | Mildred Gilmer (Deceased 1799) Elizabeth Washington Gamble |
| Signature | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Appletons%27_Wirt_William_signature.jpg){kind=small} |
William Wirt (November 8, 1772 – February 18, 1834) was an American author and statesman who is credited with turning the position of United States Attorney General into one of influence. He was the longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history. He was also the Anti-Masonic nominee for president in the 1832 election.
Wirt grew up in Maryland but pursued a legal career in Virginia, passing the Virginia bar in 1792. After holding various positions, he served as the prosecutor in Aaron Burr's trial for treason. He won election to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1808 and was appointed as a United States Attorney in 1816. The following year, President James Monroe appointed him to the position of United States Attorney General. Wirt remained in that office for the next twelve years, serving under Monroe and John Quincy Adams. He continued his law career after leaving office, representing the Cherokee in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.
Though Wirt was himself a former Freemason, the Anti-Masonic Party nominated him for president in 1832. Wirt did not actively campaign for office and refused to publicly speak against Masonry. Nonetheless, the ticket of Wirt and Amos Ellmaker carried the state of Vermont, becoming the first third party presidential ticket to win a state. After the election, Wirt continued to practice law until his death in 1834. Wirt County, West Virginia, is named in Wirt's honor.