Richard H. Bayard

Richard Henry Bayard (September 26, 1796 – March 4, 1868) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, who served as the first Mayor of Wilmington, Chief Justice of the Delaware Superior Court, and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Richard H. Bayard
United States Senator from Delaware
In office January 12, 1841 – March 3, 1845
Preceded by	vacancy [1]
Succeeded by	John M. Clayton
Chief Justice of Delaware
In office September 19, 1839 – March 12, 1841
Preceded by	John M. Clayton
Succeeded by	James Booth, Jr.
United States Senator from Delaware
In office June 17, 1836 – September 19, 1839
Preceded by	Arnold Naudain
Succeeded by	vacancy [1]
Personal details
Born	Richard Henry Bayard September 26, 1796 Wilmington, Delaware
Died	March 4, 1868 (aged 71) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Whig
Residence	Wilmington, Delaware
Alma mater	Princeton College
Profession	lawyer

Mary Sophia Carroll Bayard

Early life and family

Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware, son of James A. Bayard, Sr., and Nancy Bassett Bayard. His father was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and U.S. Senator from Delaware. His mother was the daughter of another U.S. Senator from Delaware, Richard Bassett. His younger brother, James A. Bayard, Jr., was also a U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Professional and political career

Bayard graduated from Princeton College in 1814, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1818. His practice was in Wilmington, where he became the first mayor of the newly incorporated city in 1832.

In 1836, Bayard was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator Arnold Naudain. He served from June 17, 1836 to September 19, 1839, when he resigned to become Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. He served in that capacity for two years, from 1839 to 1841, when he resigned, being once again elected to the United States Senate, this time as a Whig. The position had been vacant since his own resignation in 1839. This time, he served from January 12, 1841 until March 3, 1845. While in the United States Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims in the 27th Congress, a member of the Committee on District of Columbia in the 27th Congress, and a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs in the 27th Congress and 28th Congress. He did not seek reelection in 1844, but later served as chargé d'affaires to Belgium from 1850 to 1853.

Death and legacy

Bayard died at Philadelphia and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery at Wilmington. He was the second of five Bayards to serve in the United States Senate.

Almanac

The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term. In this case, he was initially completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the resignation of Arnold Naudain. However, he resigned the position before the term ended only to accept appointment over a year later in a new term which he completed. Between his resignation and appointment, the position was vacant.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	June 17, 1836	September 19, 1839
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	January 12, 1841	March 3, 1845

United States Congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1836–1837	24th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Andrew Jackson		class 1
1837–1839	25th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Martin Van Buren		class 1
1839–1841	26th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Martin Van Buren		class 1
1841–1843	27th	U.S. Senate	Whig	William Henry Harrison John Tyler	Private Land Claims District of Columbia	class 1
1843–1845	28th	U.S. Senate	Whig	John Tyler	Naval Affairs	class 1

Notes

1. this seat was vacant from September 19, 1839 until January 11, 1841.

References

• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Cedar Tree Books, Wilmington. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress: The House of Representatives. Roger A. Martin, Newark. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
• Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.

Images

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; portrait courtesy of the Delaware State Archives.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware’s Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831–2965