Thomas Bolling Robertson 1820-1824

Born: 1773 in Prince George County, Virginia
Political Affiliation: National Republican
Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian
Education: William and Mary College
Career Prior to Term: Secretary of the Terrotory of Orleans; First U.S. Representative from the new State of Louisiana
How He Became Governor: Won the election of 1820
Career after Term: Resigned to become United States Judge from the District of Louisiana
Died: October 5, 1828 in White Sulphur Springs, Virginia

Thomas Bolling Robertson, elected Governor in 1820, practiced law in Virginia until his appointment by President Jefferson on August 12, 1807, as secretary of the Territory of Orleans. While retaining his office of secretary, he also served as federal land commissioner and briefly as attorney general in 1808.

Though his tenure as secretary was marked by conflict with Gov. W.C.C. Claiborne, Robertson remained in the good favor of Jefferson and President Madison. He retained his post as secretary until Louisiana’s admission as a state in 1812, when he became its first member of the national House of Representatives.

Elected governor in 1820, Robertson stimulated programs of internal improvements such as the opening of the Pearl and Red Rivers to navigation and the construction of the state’s portion of the national road from Madisonville to Nashville.

His term in office was plagued by conflicts between French and American factions struggling for political control of the state, and he resigned from the governorship in November 1824.

Following his term, Robertson became United States judge for the District of Louisiana. He died in White Sulphur Springs, Va., in 1828.

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