Thomas E. Franklin (lawyer)

This article is about the 19th-century lawyer. For the photographer, see Thomas E. Franklin.

Thomas E. Franklin
File:Thomas Emlen Franklin.jpg
26th Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office April 28, 1851 – January 21, 1852
Preceded by	Cornelius Darragh
Succeeded by	James Campbell
29th Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office January 17, 1855 – January 19, 1858
Preceded by	Francis Wade Hughes
Succeeded by	John C. Knox
Personal details
Born	April 20, 1810 Philadelphia
Died	November 28, 1884 Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)	Serena A. Mayer
Children	11
Alma mater	Yale College
Profession	Attorney

Thomas Emlen Franklin (April 20, 1810–November 28, 1884) was a distinguished Pennsylvania lawyer, and served two terms as state attorney general.

Personal life and career

Franklin was born in Philadelphia, the son of Walter Franklin and Anne Emlen. His father at the time was serving as state attorney general, and upon his father's appointment to a judgeship in 1811, the family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Franklin graduated from Yale College in 1828, and was admitted to the bar in 1831, opening an office in Lancaster, where he resided for the rest of his life.

In 1837, he married Serena A. Mayer. They had 11 children. Two sons became lawyers, and two daughters married lawyers.

Franklin was twice appointed attorney general for the state. He was a delegate to U. S. presidential nomination conventions three times (1844, Henry Clay; 1848, Zachary Taylor; 1864, Abraham Lincoln). He declined all offers to be further involved in politics.

In local business, he was a founding director for the Lancaster, Portsmouth, and Harrisburg Railroad Company (later part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company), a director of the Farmers' National Bank, and president of the Lancaster Fire Insurance Company.

Franklin was active in Episcopalian Church affairs, and in his later years served as chancellor of the diocese for central Pennsylvania.

External links

• 1838 portrait by Jacob Eichholtz.

Legal offices
Preceded by Cornelius Darragh	Attorney General of Pennsylvania 1851–1852	Succeeded by James Campbell
Preceded by Francis Wade Hughes	Attorney General of Pennsylvania 1855–1858	Succeeded by John C. Knox