Richard Alsop Wise

Who was Richard Alsop Wise?

Richard Alsop Wise was a U.S. Representative from Virginia, son of Henry Alexander Wise, grandson of John Sergeant, brother of John Sergeant Wise, and cousin of George Douglas Wise.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wise attended private schools in Richmond, Virginia, Harrison's Academy, Albemarle County, Virginia, and the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, for two years. During the Civil War served in the Confederate States Army as a private in Stuart's cavalry and as assistant inspector general of Wise's brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. He was graduated in medicine from the Medical College of Virginia in 1867 and practiced. Professor at the College of William and Mary 1869–1881. He served as delegate to all Republican State conventions from 1879 to 1900. Superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum of Virginia 1882–1885. He served as member of the State house of delegates 1885–1887. He served as clerk of the circuit and county courts of the city of Williamsburg and county of James City 1888–1894. He served as delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1892, 1896, and 1900. He successfully contested as a Republican the election of William A. Young to the Fifty-fifth Congress and served from April 26, 1898, to March 3, 1899. He was again successful in contesting the election of William A. Young to the Fifty-sixth Congress and served from March 12, 1900, until his death in Williamsburg, Virginia, December 21, 1900. He was interred in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.