James A. McDougall
U.S. Congressperson
1817 – 1867
Who was James A. McDougall?
James Alexander McDougall was an American attorney and politician elected to statewide office in two U.S. states, then to the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. A gifted orator, McDougall began his career as a civil engineer in New York, then read law, rising quickly to heights in his profession in Illinois, where he became a friend of fellow prairie attorneys Abraham Lincoln, Edward D. Baker, and Stephen Douglas. Like many Americans, McDougall was drawn to Gold Rush California in 1849; he resumed his law practice and was elected second attorney general for the new state of California. In the election of 1860, Lincoln won the presidency as a Republican, Baker was elected Republican senator from Oregon, and McDougall was elected senator from California, joining Douglas in the Senate as fellow War Democrats. All three of McDougall's Prairie State friends would die in the six years before his term as senator expired. A noted drinker, McDougall once gave an address to the Senate disparaging a proposed rule to outlaw the sale of alcohol in the United States Capitol, but died shortly after leaving the Senate, "...hastened by his indulgence in the bowl."
We need you!
Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!
- Born
- Nov 19, 1817
Bethlehem - Also known as
- James McDougall
- Religion
- Catholicism
- Nationality
- United States of America
- Profession
- Died
- Sep 3, 1867
Albany - Resting place
- Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma
Submitted
on July 23, 2013
Citation
Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"James A. McDougall." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 May 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/james_a_mcdougall>.
Discuss this James A. McDougall biography with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In