John Nelson (lawyer)

For other people of the same name, see John Nelson (disambiguation).

John Nelson
17th United States Attorney General
In office July 1, 1843 – March 4, 1845
President	John Tyler
Preceded by	Hugh S. Legaré
Succeeded by	John Y. Mason
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th district
In office March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by	Samuel Ringgold
Succeeded by	John Lee
Personal details
Born	(1791-06-01)June 1, 1791 Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
Died	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Frances Harriotte Burrows Nelson
Alma mater	College of William and Mary
Profession	Politician, Lawyer

John Nelson (June 1, 1791 – January 18, 1860) was Attorney General of the United States from 1843 to 1845 under John Tyler.

Biography

Nelson was born in Frederick, Maryland, the son of politician Roger Nelson. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1811 and was admitted to the bar in 1813, starting practice in Frederick. He held several local offices before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Maryland's 4th district. He served only one term, March 4, 1821, to March 3, 1823, and was not a candidate for reelection. Nelson received an A.M. degree from Princeton University in 1825. In 1831, he was appointed Chargé d'affaires to the Two Sicilies, a position he served in from 1831 to 1832. President John Tyler appointed him Attorney General of the United States on July 1, 1843, which he served until the end of the Tyler administration. He also served as United States Secretary of State ad interim for about a month in 1844 after the sudden death of the previous Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur. Nelson retired from public life and died in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 8, 1860.

External links

• John Nelson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• John Nelson at Find A Grave

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Samuel Ringgold	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th congressional district March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823	Succeeded by John Lee
Legal offices
Preceded by Hugh S. Legaré	U.S. Attorney General Served under: John Tyler July 1, 1843 – March 4, 1845	Succeeded by John Y. Mason
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by (none)	United States Ambassador to Italy October 24, 1831 – October 15, 1832	Succeeded by Enos T. Throop