James Harlan

Who was James Harlan?

James Harlan was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.

Born in Mercer County, Kentucky, Harlan attended school before working as a clerk in a dry goods store from 1817 to 1821. Deciding to embark upon a legal career, he read law under the guidance of a local judge before gaining admission to the bar in 1823. Harlan commenced practice in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and enjoyed a busy but not especially remunerative legal career. He served as a Commonwealth's Attorney from 1829 until 1835.

A follower of Henry Clay, Harlan was soon involved in local politics. In 1833, he managed the reelection campaign of Congressman Robert P. Letcher, and when Letcher decided not to run for another term Harlan ran successfully to replace him. Harlan was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress. In 1840, Letcher, who had won election as governor of Kentucky, appointed Harlan as Secretary of State of Kentucky, an office he held for the duration of Letcher's term. In 1845, we was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, and served as a state representative from 1845 until 1851.