Benjamin Gorham

Who was Benjamin Gorham?

Benjamin Gorham was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

He was the son of Nathaniel Gorham, who served as one of the Presidents of the Continental Congress. Benjamin was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He pursued preparatory studies, graduated from Harvard University in 1795, and studied law. When he was admitted to the bar he commenced practice in Boston. From 1814 to 1818 he served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and then turned to the Massachusetts State Senate, where he served from May 26, 1819 until he resigned on January 10, 1821. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Sixteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jonathan Mason; he was re-elected when the term expired, and served until March 4, 1823.

Afterwards he returned to the State senate for one term beginning May 28, 1823, before being elected as an Adams candidate to the Twentieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Daniel Webster and then reelected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress and served from July 23, 1827, to March 4, 1831. After a term filled by Nathan Appleton, he was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-third Congress. Afterward he served again a member of the State house of representatives in 1841 and resumed the practice of law.