Background
Robert Caruthers was born on July 31, 1800, in Smith County, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Looney Caruthers.
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Robert Caruthers
Gallery of Robert Caruthers
Limestone, Tennessee, United States
Robert was educated at Washington College.
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Other photo of Robert Caruthers
Limestone, Tennessee, United States
Robert was educated at Washington College.
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Robert Looney Caruthers
Edit ProfileEducation
Robert was educated at Woodward's Academy, Washington College, and Greeneville College. He also studied law.
Career
Robert Caruthers was admitted to the bar in Carthage, Tennessee, in 1823. Caruthers removed to Lebanon, Tennessee, and became clerk of the state House of Representatives in 1824.
For a time Caruthers was editor of the Tennessee Republican. He was a state attorney from 1827 to 1832, became brigadier general of the Tennessee State militia in 1834, and served in the state House of Representatives in 1835.
He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1841 to 1843. He helped to found Cumberland University in Lebanon in 1842 and headed its law department in 1847.
He also served as judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee from 1852 until 1861. He was a member of the Washington Peace Conference in 1861 and tried to avoid war between the states.
Robert was elected to the provisional Confederate Congress and served ably on the Judiciary Committee. The Tennessee secessionists elected him governor in 1862, but he was unable to take office because of Union occupation. He served in various minor governmental posts throughout the rest of the war.
After the war, Caruthers moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he formed a law partnership with John C. Gant in 1865. He was indicted for treason but was never brought to trial. In the 1870s, he became a professor of law at Cumberland University, a position he held for the remainder of his life.
Achievements
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Robert Looney Caruthers was known for his election as a Confederate Governor in 1863. However, due to the Federal occupation of Tennessee, he was not inaugurated. A co-founder of Cumberland University, he distinguished himself for service in the Tennessee House of Representatives, the United States House of Representatives, the State Supreme Court, and the Confederate Congress.
Religion
Robert was a member of the Presbyterian church.
Politics
Robert was a Whig leader in state politics, but in 1844, he became a Democrat. He was a staunch secessionist.
Membership
Caruthers was a member of the Sons of Temperance.
Connections
In 1826 Robert married Sally Sanders.
References
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Born
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Died
October 2, 1882 (aged 82) -
Resting place
Cedar Grove Cemetery Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, United States -
Nationality
United States -
Religion
Presbyterian -
Political Party
Democratic party
Education
Career
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1824
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1827 - 1832
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1835 - 1837
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March 4, 1841 - March 3, 1843
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1852 - 1861
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1861 - 1863
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1868 - 1882