John Williams

Who was John Williams?

John Williams was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman, operating primarily out of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the first part of the 19th century. He represented Tennessee in the United States Senate from 1815 to 1823, when he lost reelection to Andrew Jackson. Williams also served as colonel of the 39th U.S. Infantry during the Creek Wars, and played a key role in Jackson's victory at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.

Williams later distanced himself from Jackson, and aligned himself with John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay. Adams appointed him chargé d'affaires to the Central American Federation in 1825.