Alexander Pope Field
19th century American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexander Pope Field (November 30, 1800 – August 19, 1876) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 21st Attorney General of Louisiana, the 6th Illinois Secretary of State, and the 4th Secretary of the Wisconsin Territory. His party affiliation shifted during his career.
Alexander Pope Field | |
|---|---|
| 21st Attorney General of Louisiana | |
| In office 1872 – August 19, 1876 | |
| Governor | P. B. S. Pinchback William Pitt Kellogg |
| Preceded by | Simeon Belden |
| Succeeded by | William H. Hunt |
| 6th Illinois Secretary of State | |
| In office 1829–1840 | |
| Governor | |
| Preceded by | George Forquer |
| Succeeded by | Stephen A. Douglas |
| 4th Secretary of the Wisconsin Territory | |
| In office April 23, 1841 – October 30, 1843 | |
| Appointed by | John Tyler |
| Governor | Henry Dodge James Duane Doty |
| Preceded by | Francis J. Dunn |
| Succeeded by | George R. C. Floyd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alexander Pope Field November 30, 1800 |
| Died | August 19, 1876 (aged 75) |
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| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Black Hawk War |
Early life and education
Born on November 30, 1800, in Louisville, Kentucky. He moved to Jonesboro, Illinois, studied law, and was admitted to the Illinois bar. His uncle was judge Nathaniel Pope.
Career
From 1822 until 1828, Field served in the Illinois House of Representatives as a Democrat and supported Andrew Jackson. He later became a Whig.
He served in the United States Army including in the Black Hawk War of 1832 and was brigade inspector. From 1829 until 1840, he served as Illinois Secretary of State.[1]
Field moved to Wisconsin Territory and served as the territory's secretary from 1841 to 1843.[1] He then moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1845.[2]
In 1849, Field moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1864 during the American Civil War, Field was elected to U.S. Congress in the second district of Louisiana,[3] however he was not allowed to take his seat. Field assaulted Hon. William D. Kelley from Pennsylvania with a penknife.[4][5] Maximilian F. Bonzano was also elected to the 38th United States Congress the same year in 1864 for the first district of Louisiana, and Bonzano was also not allowed to take his seat after the assault.[4][6]
Field was elected Louisiana Attorney General serving from 1873 until his death.[7]
