William S. Archer

William Segar Archer
United States Senator from Virginia
In office March 4, 1841 – March 4, 1847
Preceded by	William H. Roane
Succeeded by	Robert M. T. Hunter
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
In office February 22, 1834 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by	William C. Rives
Succeeded by	William Allen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1823 – March 4, 1835
Preceded by	Jared Williams
Succeeded by	John W. Jones
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 17th district
In office January 3, 1820 – March 4, 1823
Preceded by	James Pleasants
Succeeded by	Jared Williams
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by	Edward Everett
Succeeded by	James Moore Wayne
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office 1812–1819
Personal details
Born	(1789-03-05)March 5, 1789 Amelia County, Virginia
Died	Amelia County, Virginia
Resting place	Amelia County, Virginia
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Other political affiliations	Democrat Whig
Alma mater	The College of William & Mary
Profession	Politician, Lawyer

William Segar Archer (March 5, 1789 – March 28, 1855) was a politician and lawyer from Virginia who served in the United States Senate from 1841 to 1847. He was the nephew of Joseph Eggleston.

Biography

Born at "The Lodge" in Amelia County, Virginia, received a private education and graduated from The College of William & Mary in 1806. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1810, commencing practice in Amelia and Powhatan Counties. He served four terms in the Virginia House of Delegates between 1812 and 1819 and was elected to the United States House of Representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Pleasants, reelected in 1820, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1830 and 1832, serving from 1820 to 1835. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs from 1829 to 1835 and was defeated for reelection in 1834.

Archer was elected a Whig to the United States Senate in 1840, serving one full term from 1841 to 1847. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations from 1841 to 1845 and of the Committee on Naval Affairs from 1841 to 1843. He was also a key member of the committee who drafted the Missouri compromise on which he exerted great influence. After being defeated for reelection by Robert M. T. Hunter in 1846, Archer resumed practicing law until his death at "The Lodge" in Amelia County, Virginia on March 28, 1855. He was interred in the family cemetery at "The Lodge".

Elections

• 1823; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

• 1825; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

• 1827; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

• 1829; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

• 1831; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

• 1833; Archer was re-elected unopposed.

External links

• William S. Archer at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• William S. Archer at Find A Grave

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by James Pleasants	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 17th congressional district 1820–1823	Succeeded by Jared Williams
Preceded by Jared Williams	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 3rd congressional district 1823–1835	Succeeded by John W. Jones
United States Senate
Preceded by William H. Roane	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Virginia 1841–1847 Served alongside: William C. Rives, Isaac S. Pennybacker, James M. Mason	Succeeded by Robert M. T. Hunter
Political offices
Preceded by Edward Everett Massachusetts	Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee 1829–1834	Succeeded by James Moore Wayne Georgia
Preceded by William C. Rives Virginia	Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee 1842–1845	Succeeded by William Allen Ohio