James T. Austin
American politician (1784–1870)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Trecothick Austin (January 7, 1784 – May 8, 1870) was the 22nd Massachusetts Attorney General.[1] Austin was the son of Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts Jonathan L. Austin.[1] He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1824.[5] He graduated from Harvard College in 1802.[6]
(From 1849; Office Abolished from 1843–1849)
James Trecothick Austin | |
|---|---|
| 22nd Massachusetts Attorney General | |
| In office 1832–1843 | |
| Governor | Levi Lincoln Jr. John Davis Samuel Turell Armstrong Edward Everett Marcus Morton |
| Preceded by | Perez Morton |
| Succeeded by | John H. Clifford (From 1849; Office Abolished from 1843–1849) |
| Suffolk County, Massachusetts Attorney[1] | |
| In office 1812–1832[1] | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Samuel D. Parker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 7, 1784 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 1870 (aged 86) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Party | Anti-Federalist,[1][2] National Republican Party[3][4] |
| Spouse | Catharine Gerry |
| Children | Ivers James Austin (1808–1889) Marie Cornelia Ritchie Austin (1821–1864) |
| Profession | Attorney |
In 1837, he spoke at Faneuil Hall in praise of anti-abolitionists who had killed Elijah P. Lovejoy. He compared the mob to American patriots rising against the British and declared that Lovejoy "died as the fool dieth!"[7][a]
Personal life and family
Austin was born on January 7, 1784, in Boston, Massachusetts.[1]
Austin married Catharine Gerry, the eldest daughter of Elbridge Gerry. They had a son, Ivers James Austin, born February 14, 1808, and a daughter, Marie Cornelia Ritchie Austin, born on March 8, 1821.[8][9]
Death
Austin died on May 8, 1870, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was 86.[1]