Background
He was a grandson of Joseph Bradley Varnum.
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Joseph Varnum
Edit ProfileEducation
He graduated from Yale College in 1838, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. He studied law at Yale and with Roger B. Taney in Baltimore, Maryland, and was admitted to the bar in 1840.
Career
He practiced law in Baltimore for several years before moving to New York City, where he acquired a large practice. Varnum was chosen Speaker pro tempore in June 1851, and presided over the Assembly for the duration of the special session. In 1871 he took an active part in the agitation against corruption in the government of New York City.
He was a contributor to magazines and newspapers, and published in book form The Seat of Government of the United States (New York, 1848) and The Washington Sketch-Book.
Varnum died on New Year"s Eve, 1874. He was buried in Congressional Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia
Membership
He was a Whig member of the New York State Assembly (New York Company) in 1849, 1850 and 1851. He was again a member of the State Assembly (New York Company, 13th Doctorate) in 1857, and was the Know Nothing candidate for Speaker. At one time he was a member of the Common Council of New York City.
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Born
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Died
December 31, 1874 (aged 56) -
Nationality
United States