Preceded by Louis McLane Preceded by New appointment Succeeded by Daniel Webster Name John Forsyth | Preceded by George M. Troup Spouse Clara Meigs Succeeded by George R. Gilmer Parents Robert Forsyth | |
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President Andrew Jackson
Martin Van Buren Role Former Governor of Georgia Died October 21, 1841, Washington, D.C., United States Books Letters of the Late Bishop England to the Hon. John Forsyth, on the Subject of Domestic Slavery: To which are Prefixed Copies, in Latin and English, of the Pope's Apostolic Letter, Concerning the African Slave Trade, with Some Introductory Remarks, Etc Education Princeton University, The College of New Jersey Similar People Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, John C Calhoun, Button Gwinnett, David Paymer | ||
John Forsyth Sr. (October 22, 1780 – October 21, 1841) was a 19th-century American politician from Georgia. He represented Georgia in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Forsyth also served as the 33rd Governor of Georgia. As a strong supporter of the policies of Andrew Jackson, he was appointed Secretary of State by Jackson in 1834, and continued in that role until 1841 during the presidency of Martin Van Buren.
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Early life
Forsyth was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His father Robert Forsyth was the first U.S. Marshal to be killed in the line of duty in 1794. He was an attorney who graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1799. He married Clara Meigs, daughter of Josiah Meigs, in 1801 or 1802. One of his sons, John Forsyth, Jr., later became a newspaper editor.
Political Life
Forsyth served in the United States House of Representatives (1813–1818 and 1823–1827), the United States Senate (1818–1819 and 1829–1834), and as the 33rd Governor of Georgia (1827–1829). He was the United States Secretary of State from 1834 until 1841. In this role he led the government's response to the Amistad case. He was a loyal follower of Andrew Jackson and opposed John C. Calhoun in the issue of nullification. Forsyth was appointed as Secretary of State in reward for his efforts. He led the pro-removal reply to Theodore Frelinghuysen about the Indian Removal Act of 1830. He supported slavery and was a slaveholder himself.
Death and legacy
Forsyth died in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Congressional Cemetery. Forsyth County, Georgia, Forsyth, Georgia, and Forsyth Park in Savannah are named for him. He died the day before his 61st birthday.