Thomas Jefferson Rusk | |
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| President pro tempore of the United States Senate | |
| In office March 14, 1857 – July 29, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | James M. Mason |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Fitzpatrick |
| United States Senator from Texas | |
| In office February 21, 1846 – July 29, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | James P. Henderson |
| Member of the Republic of Texas House of Representatives from Nacogdoches County | |
| In office 1837–1838 | |
| Preceded by | John Kirby Allen |
| Succeeded by | David S. Kaufman |
| 1st Texas Secretary of War | |
| In office March 17, 1836 – November 13, 1837 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | William S. Fisher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 5, 1803 Pendleton, South Carolina, US |
| Died | July 29, 1857 (aged 53) Nacogdoches, Texas, US |
| Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Spouse | Mary Frances "Polly" Cleveland Rusk |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, judge |
Thomas Jefferson Rusk (December 5, 1803 – July 29, 1857) was an early political and military leader of the Republic of Texas, serving as its first Secretary of War as well as a general at the Battle of San Jacinto. He was later a US politician and served as a Senator from Texas from 1846 until his suicide. He served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1857.