William Alexander Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
| In office January 12, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Orville H. Browning |
| Succeeded by | Richard Yates |
| 5th Governor of Nebraska Territory | |
| In office January 12, 1858 – December 5, 1858 | |
| President | James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Thomas B. Cuming |
| Succeeded by | Julius Sterling Morton |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1861 – January 12, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac N. Morris |
| Succeeded by | Owen Lovejoy |
| In office December 6, 1847 – August 25, 1856 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen A. Douglas |
| Succeeded by | Jacob C. Davis |
| 12th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office December 5, 1842 – December 2, 1844 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Hackleton |
| Succeeded by | Newton Cloud |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1838-1842 | |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office 1836–1838 1844–1846 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 16, 1811 Lexington, Kentucky, US |
| Died | December 27, 1875 (aged 64) Quincy, Illinois, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Centre College Transylvania University |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
William Alexander Richardson (January 16, 1811 – December 27, 1875) was a prominent Illinois Democratic politician before and during the American Civil War. A protege of Stephen Douglas Richardson was an ardent proponent of Jacksonian Democracy, Popular sovereignty, and Strict constructionism. During the American Civil War he initially supported the conflict, but soon became a member of the Copperhead wing of the Democratic party and a bitter critic of President Abraham Lincoln.