Background
Dawson, John was born in 1762 in Virginia, United States. Son of Review Musgrave and Mary (Waugh) Dawson.
lawyer politician representative
Dawson, John was born in 1762 in Virginia, United States. Son of Review Musgrave and Mary (Waugh) Dawson.
Born in Virginia, Dawson graduated from Harvard University in 1782, studied law and was admitted to the Barometer
Although that convention ratified the United States Constitution, Dawson opposed ratification, aligning himself with Monroe, Patrick Henry and George Mason. Dawson was elected privy councilor in 1789 and served in that executive branch capacity for several years. In 1796, Dawson was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican, and served from 1797 to his death in 1814.
Dawson became chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia from 1813 to 1814, as well as served as an aide to Generals Jacob Brown and future President Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812.
He died in Washington, District of Columbia on March 31, 1814 and was interred there at Congressional Cemetery.
Member Virginia House of Delegates from Spotsylvania County, 1786-1787, 87-88, 89. Member Virginia Convention to ratify United States Constitution. Member Executive Council Virginia.
Member United States House of Representatives from Virginia, 5th-14th congresses, 1797-1814, bearer ratified Convention of 1800 to France, proposed 12th amendment providing for separate election of the United States President and vice president