James W. Denver

Jim Denver
Denver c. 1855–1865
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
In office
November 8, 1858 – March 31, 1859
PresidentJames Buchanan
Preceded byCharles Eli Mix
Succeeded byAlfred B. Greenwood
In office
April 17, 1857 – June 17, 1857
PresidentJames Buchanan
Preceded byGeorge Washington Manypenny
Succeeded byCharles Eli Mix
5th Territorial Governor of Kansas
In office
June 17, 1857 – November 8, 1858
Appointed byJames Buchanan
Preceded byRobert J. Walker
Succeeded bySamuel Medary
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857
Preceded byMilton S. Latham
Succeeded byJoseph C. McKibbin
2nd Secretary of State of California
In office
1853–1855
GovernorJohn Bigler
Preceded byWilliam Van Voohies
Succeeded byCharles Hempstead
Personal details
Born
James William Denver

(1817-10-23)October 23, 1817
Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 1892(1892-08-09) (aged 74)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenMatthew
EducationCincinnati Law School (LLB)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States (Union Army)
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1847–1850
1861–1863
RankBrigadier general
UnitArmy of the Tennessee
Department of Kansas
XVI Corps
Battles/wars

James William Denver (October 23, 1817 – August 9, 1892) was an American politician, soldier and lawyer. He served in the California state government, as an officer in the United States Army in two wars, and as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from California. He served as secretary and Governor of the Kansas Territory during the struggle over whether or not Kansas would be open to slavery. The city of Denver, Colorado, is named after him.