Ralph Izard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ralph Izard (January 23, 1741 or 1742–May 30, 1804) was a U.S. politician. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Izard was born at "The Elms" near Charleston, South Carolina. His maternal grandfather was Province of South Carolina Governor Robert Johnson. Izard's parents died when he was a small child, and only one of his siblings survived to adulthood. He spent most of his childhood and youth studying in England. Izard returned to America in 1764, but did not remain in South Carolina for long. In 1767, he married Alice DeLancey of New York (a niece of James DeLancey). They had 13 children between the years of 1768 and 1792.
[edit] Career
He resided in London in 1771 and moved to Paris, France, in 1776. He was appointed commissioner to the Court of Tuscany by the Continental Congress in 1776, but was recalled in 1779. He returned to America in 1780 and pledged his large estate in South Carolina for the payment of war ships to be used in the American Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783. In 1788, he was elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1795, serving as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Third Congress.
[edit] Death and legacy
Izard retired from public life to the care of his estates and died near Charleston. He is interred in the churchyard of St. James Goose Creek Episcopal Church, near Charleston.
Izard was one of the founders of the College of Charleston. His children and relations married well:
- His son Ralph, was a naval hero of Tripoli. The World War II USS Izard (DD-589) was named after him. (Ralph's wife was a niece of Arthur Middleton).
- A son Major General George Izard was a Governor of Arkansas.
- A daughter Charlotte married William Loughton Smith {a son of S.C. Assemblyman Benjamin Smith}; William L. Smith was also a brother-in-law of South Carolina Congressman Isaac Motte.
- A daughter Sarah married South Carolina Loyalist Governor Lord William Campbell.
- One niece was a daughter-in-law of Loyalist Governor of Georgia James Wright (governor).
- Another niece was a daughter-in-law of Congressman of South Carolina Thomas Pinckney.
- A great-grandson of Ralph Izard was Charles Manigault Morris who was also a great-grandson of Lewis Morris.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by None |
United States Senator (Class 3) from South Carolina 1789–1795 Served alongside: Pierce Butler |
Succeeded by Jacob Read |
| Preceded by John Langdon |
President pro tempore of the United States Senate May 31, 1794–November 9, 1794 |
Succeeded by Henry Tazewell |
