Quitman, John Anthony

Related Category: U.S. History: Biographies

1798–1858, American general and politician, b. Rhinebeck, N.Y. He settled in Natchez, Miss., where he practiced law and held a series of political offices, serving in the state legislature and as acting governor (1835–36). As a brigadier general (promoted to major general in 1847) in the Mexican War, he distinguished himself at Monterrey, fought at Veracruz and Puebla, and led the assault on Chapultepec. He was governor of Mexico City during the American occupation (1847–48). On his return to Mississippi he became governor (1850–51), but resigned after indictment by the federal government for aiding a filibustering expedition to Cuba planned by Narciso López. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1855 until his death.

See J. F. H. Claiborne, The Life and Correspondence of John Anthony Quitman (1860).