Benjamin Gorham

Benjamin Gorham (February 13, 1775 – September 27, 1855) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

Benjamin Gorham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st district
In office November 6, 1820 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by	Jonathan Mason
Succeeded by	Daniel Webster
In office July 23, 1827 – March 3, 1831
Preceded by	Daniel Webster
Succeeded by	Nathan Appleton
In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by	Nathan Appleton
Succeeded by	Abbott Lawrence
Member of the Massachusetts State Senate
Succeeded by	William Gray
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1814-1818
Personal details
Born	February 13, 1775 Charlestown, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Died	September 27, 1855 (aged 80) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic Republican and National Republican

He was the son of Nathaniel Gorham, who served as one of the Presidents of the Continental Congress. Benjamin was born in Charlestown in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He pursued preparatory studies, graduated from Harvard University in 1795, and studied law. When he was admitted to the bar he commenced practice in Boston. From 1814 to 1818 he served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and then turned to the Massachusetts State Senate, where he served from May 26, 1819 until he resigned on January 10, 1821. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Sixteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jonathan Mason; he was re-elected when the term expired, and served until March 3, 1823.

Afterwards he returned to the State senate for one term beginning May 28, 1823, before being elected as an Adams candidate to the Twentieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Daniel Webster and then reelected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress and served from July 23, 1827, to March 3, 1831. After a term filled by Nathan Appleton, he was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-third Congress (March 4, 1833 - March 3, 1835). Afterward he served again a member of the State house of representatives in 1841 and resumed the practice of law.

He died in Boston in 1855, aged 80, and was interred in the Phipps Street Burying Ground in Charlestown.

References

• United States Congress. "Benjamin Gorham (id: G000324)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.