George Walker Crawford

Background

George Walker Crawford was born on December 22, 1798 in Columbia County, Georgia, United States. His forebears, of Scottish descent, migrated to Georgia from Virginia at an early period. He was the son of Peter and Mary Crawford.

Education

George graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1820. In 1822 he was admitted to the bar. Later he went on to obtain a master's degree from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Career

Crawford started a legal practice in Augusta partnering with Henry H. Cumming. He served from 1824 to 1825, as a second lieutenant in the 10th Regiment of the Georgia Militia.

He was a successful candidate (1827) for the office of attorney-general and held the place for four years. From 1837 to 1842 he was, with the exception of one year, a member of the legislature from Richmond County. In 1843 he was elected as a Whig to Congress to fill an unexpired term, but served in Congress only one month (February 1 to March 4, 1843). His brief service was due to the fact that he received the Whig nomination for governor in 1843. He was elected, and reelected in 1845, serving until 1847.

His term as governor was coincident with the period of recovery after the crisis of 1837 and the succeeding depression. The decade of the forties was characterized by great economic activity—railroad construction, building of cotton-mills, improvement in banking facilities, and the extension of cotton culture. Wise handling of the state finances by the Governor contributed materially to the growing prosperity of Georgia in the period. On the election of President Zachary Taylor the post of secretary of war was tendered to Crawford. He accepted it in March 1849, but resigned in July 1850 on Taylor’s death.

From the time of his resignation to the outbreak of the Civil War he was in retirement. His last public service was as chairman of the state secession convention in 1861.

Achievements

• George Walker Crawford's service to the state of Georgia as a competent administrator was the most important aspect of his public career. During his governorship, the state's economy began to improve after suffering through a recession, major construction on the Western and Atlantic Railroad was accomplished, Georgia Supreme Court finally was established, and the state penal code was restructured.

Politics

Crawford was a member of the Whig Party.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Robert Toombs: “There are but few abler and no purer men in America, and he has administrative qualities of an unusually high order”.

Connections

In 1826, George Crawford married Mary Ann MacIntosh, having four children of the marriage.

Father:

Peter Crawford

Mother:

Mary Crawford

Spouse:

Mary Ann McIntosh

References

• Georgia Biographical Dictionary