Archibald Austin
Encyclopedia
Archibald Austin was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia
.
Born near Buckingham Courthouse, Buckingham County, Virginia, Austin studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Buckingham County, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from 1815 to 1817 and was elected a Democratic-Republican
to the United States House of Representatives
in 1816, serving from 1817 to 1819. He was not a candidate in 1818. Afterwards, he resumed practicing law and was a presidential elector
on the Democratic
ticket in 1832
and 1836
. Austin returned to the House of Delegates in 1835, serving again until 1837. He died near Buckingham Court House, Virginia on October 16, 1837 and was interred in the family cemetery with his wife Grace, on his estate. His law office was built on the family planatation. His legal papers were sold in the early part of 20th century to the College of William and Mary, the collection is housed in the Swem Library. Many court records burned up in 1869 during the courthouse fire, Austin's files are invaluable for research in court records of the period.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Born near Buckingham Courthouse, Buckingham County, Virginia, Austin studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Buckingham County, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
from 1815 to 1817 and was elected a Democratic-Republican
Democratic-Republican Party (United States)
The Democratic-Republican Party or Republican Party was an American political party founded in the early 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Political scientists use the former name, while historians prefer the latter one; contemporaries generally called the party the "Republicans", along...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1816, serving from 1817 to 1819. He was not a candidate in 1818. Afterwards, he resumed practicing law and was a presidential elector
United States Electoral College
The Electoral College consists of the electors appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. Since 1964, there have been 538 electors in each presidential election...
on the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
ticket in 1832
United States presidential election, 1832
The United States presidential election of 1832 saw incumbent President Andrew Jackson, candidate of the Democratic Party, easily win re-election against Henry Clay of Kentucky. Jackson won 219 of the 286 electoral votes cast, defeating Clay, the candidate of the National Republican Party, and...
and 1836
United States presidential election, 1836
The United States presidential election of 1836 ushered Martin Van Buren into the White House. It is predominantly remembered for three reasons:...
. Austin returned to the House of Delegates in 1835, serving again until 1837. He died near Buckingham Court House, Virginia on October 16, 1837 and was interred in the family cemetery with his wife Grace, on his estate. His law office was built on the family planatation. His legal papers were sold in the early part of 20th century to the College of William and Mary, the collection is housed in the Swem Library. Many court records burned up in 1869 during the courthouse fire, Austin's files are invaluable for research in court records of the period.