US Congressman, Cabinet Member, Diplomat. Born in Greensville County, Virginia, he studied law in Litchfield, Connecticut and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1819. Mason served in the US Congress as Representative from Virginia from 1831 to 1837. His other posts included US District Court Judge for Virginia (1841 to 1844); Secretary of the Navy under President Tyler (1844 to 1845); United States Attorney General under President Polk (1845 to 1846); and again Secretary of the Navy, under Polk (1846 to 1849). As United States Minister to France from 1854 until his death, Mason helped draw up the Ostend Manifesto (1854), a failed attempt at drawing Cuba from Spanish to US-French influence. He died in Paris.
US Congressman, Cabinet Member, Diplomat. Born in Greensville County, Virginia, he studied law in Litchfield, Connecticut and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1819. Mason served in the US Congress as Representative from Virginia from 1831 to 1837. His other posts included US District Court Judge for Virginia (1841 to 1844); Secretary of the Navy under President Tyler (1844 to 1845); United States Attorney General under President Polk (1845 to 1846); and again Secretary of the Navy, under Polk (1846 to 1849). As United States Minister to France from 1854 until his death, Mason helped draw up the Ostend Manifesto (1854), a failed attempt at drawing Cuba from Spanish to US-French influence. He died in Paris.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Mason memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
