Henry A. Wise

Date of Birth: December 3, 1806

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: September 12, 1876

Biography

Henry Alexander Wise was born in Drummondtown, Accomack County, Virginia, on December 3, 1806. He was an influential American statesman, lawyer, and politician who played a significant role in the mid-19th century. Wise graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Jefferson College) in Pennsylvania in 1825. He was admitted to the bar in 1828 and began his law practice in Nashville, Tennessee, before returning to Virginia. Wise’s political career began as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 1833 to 1844. He was known for his staunch advocacy of states’ rights and his support for the annexation of Texas. Wise’s political influence extended when he served as the U.S. Minister to Brazil from 1844 to 1847. In 1855, Wise was elected Governor of Virginia, a position he held until 1860. His governorship was marked by his efforts to modernize the state’s infrastructure and his controversial stance on issues such as slavery and secession. During the American Civil War, Wise served as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army, and his leadership was instrumental in several key battles. After the war, Wise resumed his law practice and remained active in politics until his death on September 12, 1876, in Richmond, Virginia. He left behind a legacy as a fervent advocate for his beliefs and a notable figure in Virginia’s history.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry A. Wise

1. Henry A. Wise was a strong advocate for the annexation of Texas, believing it was crucial for the expansion and security of the United States.

2. He played a significant role in the Democratic Party’s shift towards supporting states’ rights and slavery in the 1840s and 1850s.

3. Wise was a key figure in the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861, where he argued passionately for Virginia to leave the Union.

4. During his tenure as Governor of Virginia, he oversaw the execution of abolitionist John Brown following the raid on Harpers Ferry.

5. After the Civil War, Wise was a strong supporter of Reconstruction and worked to reintegrate Virginia into the United States.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry A. Wise

1. “The institutions of our country should be dear to every American heart, and every one who loves his country should devote himself to their preservation.”

2. “I believe in state’s rights, but I also believe in the Union.”

3. “To be governed by men of our own election is the height of political felicity.”

4. “In the conflict of arms, the laws are silent, but the spirit of justice speaks louder than the cannon’s roar.”

5. “Slavery is a divine institution, and it is the duty of every Christian to support it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Henry A. Wise is not well-documented, but as a prominent lawyer, politician, and landowner in Virginia, he was considered to be quite wealthy for his time.

Children

Henry A. Wise had several children with his two wives, Anne Eliza Jennings and Sarah Sergeant. Notable among his children were: – Richard Alsop Wise, who served as a U.S. Congressman. – John Sergeant Wise, who became a lawyer and author. – O. Jennings Wise, who was a journalist and Confederate officer.