Walter Leake

Walter D. Leake
3rd Governor of Mississippi
In office January 7, 1822 – November 17, 1825
Lieutenant	David Dickson Gerard Brandon
Preceded by	George Poindexter
Succeeded by	Gerard Brandon
United States Senator from Mississippi
In office December 10, 1817 – May 15, 1820
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	David Holmes
Personal details
Born	(1762-05-25)May 25, 1762 Albemarle County, Virginia
Died	Hinds County, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic-Republican

Walter D. Leake (May 25, 1762 – November 17, 1825) served as a United States Senator from Mississippi (1817–1820) and as third Governor of Mississippi (1822–1825). He was the first Governor of Mississippi to die in office.

Biography

Early life

Walter Leake was born on May 25, 1762 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He was the son of Captain Mask Leake and nephew of Rev. Samuel Leake (Princeton University graduate and a member of the first Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sydney College), an ancestor of Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Career

He served in the United States Senate from 1817 to 1820. He went on to serve as the Governor of Mississippi from 1822 to 1825.

Personal life

His daughter, Susan Wingfield Leake, married in 1807 Henry Goodloe Johnston of Spotsylvania County, Virginia and was an ancestor of Haley Reeves Barbour, the former Governor of Mississippi.

Legacy

Leake County, Mississippi, as well as Leakesville, Mississippi are named for him.

References

United States Senate
Preceded by Position established	U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Mississippi 1817–1820 Served alongside: Thomas H. Williams	Succeeded by David Holmes
Political offices
Preceded by George Poindexter	Governor of Mississippi 1822–1825	Succeeded by Gerard Brandon