James Trecothick Austin (January 7, 1784 – May 8, 1870) was the 22nd Massachusetts Attorney General.[1] Austin was the son of Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts Jonathan L. Austin.[1] He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1824.[7] He graduated from Harvard College in 1802.[8]
James Trecothick Austin | |
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22nd Massachusetts Attorney General | |
In office 1832–1843 | |
Governor | Levi Lincoln Jr. John Davis Samuel Turell Armstrong Edward Everett Marcus Morton |
Preceded by | Perez Morton |
Succeeded by | John H. Clifford (From 1849; Office Abolished from 1843–1849) |
Suffolk County, Massachusetts Attorney[1] | |
In office 1812[1]–1832[1] | |
Preceded by | Position created |
Succeeded by | Samuel D. Parker |
Personal details | |
Born | January 7, 1784[1] Boston, Massachusetts[1] |
Died | May 8, 1870[1] Boston, Massachusetts[1] | (aged 86)
Political party | Anti-Federalist,[1][2] National Republican Party[3][4] |
Spouse | Catharine Gerry[5] |
Children | Ivers James Austin, born February 14, 1808, d June 11, 1889;[6] Marie Cornelia Ritchie Austin, b. March 8, 1821, d, December 6, 1864.[5] |
Profession | Attorney[1] |
In 1837, he spoke at Faneuil Hall in praise of anti-abolitionists who had killed Elijah P. Lovejoy. He compared the mob to American patriots rising against the British and declared that Lovejoy "died as the fool dieth!"[9][a]
Austin married Catharine Gerry,[6] the eldest daughter[6] of Elbridge Gerry,[5] they had a son, Ivers James Austin, born February 14, 1808,[6] and a daughter, Marie Cornelia Ritchie Austin, born on March 8, 1821.[5]