Robert J. Walker
| Robert John Walker | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 4th Territorial Governor of Kansas | |
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In office May 27, 1857 – December 15, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | John W. Geary |
| Succeeded by | James W. Denver |
| 18th United States Secretary of the Treasury | |
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In office March 8, 1845 – March 5, 1849 |
|
| President |
James K. Polk Zachary Taylor |
| Preceded by | George M. Bibb |
| Succeeded by | William M. Meredith |
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United States Senator from Mississippi |
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In office March 4, 1835 – March 5, 1845 |
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| Preceded by | George Poindexter |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. Chalmers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 19, 1801 Northumberland, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 11, 1869 (aged 68) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Bache Walker |
| Children | Mary Walker Brewster |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
Robert John Walker (July 19, 1801 – November 11, 1869) was an American economist and statesman. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the U.S. Senate from Mississippi from 1835 until 1845, as Secretary of the Treasury from 1845 to 1849 during the administration of President James K. Polk, and briefly as Territorial Governor of Kansas in 1857.
As a senator, Walker vigorously supported the annexation of Texas. As Secretary of the Treasury, he held responsibility for the management of funds relating to the Mexican-American War, and in this capacity was accused of misappropriation. He resigned shortly following his appointment by President James Buchanan as Governor of Kansas in 1857 due to his opposition to the administration-sponsored pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution. After his retirement from politics, Walker supported the United States during the American Civil War and practiced law.
Born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, he was the son of a judge. He lived in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania from 1806 to 1814, where his father was presiding judge of the judicial district. Walker was educated at the Bellefonte Academy. He graduated in 1819 at the top of his class at the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Philomathean Society, and was admitted to the bar in Pittsburgh in 1821. He practiced law in Pittsburgh from 1822 until 1826 when he moved to Mississippi. There he joined his brother, Duncan Walker, in a lucrative law practice. Walker became a speculator in cotton, land and slaves. (In 1838 he freed his own slaves due to immense pressure from Congress.)
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Wikipedia