Samuel Bigger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office December 5, 1834 – December 4, 1835 | |
| Indiana Circuit Court Judge | |
| In office 1835–1840 | |
| 7th Governor of Indiana | |
| In office December 9, 1840 – December 6, 1843 | |
| Lieutenant | Samuel Hall |
| Preceded by | David Wallace |
| Succeeded by | James Whitcomb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 20, 1802 Franklin, Ohio, US |
| Died | September 9, 1846 (aged 44) Fort Wayne, Indiana, US |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Ellen Williamson |
Samuel Bigger (March 20, 1802 – September 9, 1846) was the seventh governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from December 9, 1840, to December 6, 1843. Bigger was nominated to run for governor because he had no connection to the failed public works program. The state had entered a severe financial crisis in his predecessor's term and the government became insolvent during his first year in office. He oversaw the state's bankruptcy negotiations, but the bankruptcy he negotiated was only able to return the state to solvency briefly. By the time of his reelection campaign, the Whig Party had become the target of public blame for the debacle, and Bigger was defeated.