Archibald Atkinson

Democrat Representative of Virginia's 1st district

  • Representative

    Virginia, district 1

    December 6, 1847 - March 3, 1849

3

Congresses Served

3

House Terms

September 15, 1792 (79 years old)

Birthday

January 7, 1872

Death

  • Was a slave owner
  • Served as a U.S. Representative for Virginia
  • Received education and attended the law department of the College of William & Mary
  • Served in the War of 1812
  • Practiced law in Smithfield, Virginia
  • Held positions in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate
  • Elected to the Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth Congresses
  • Did not seek renomination in 1848
  • In Congress, described slavery as a “positive moral good” for those enslaved
  • Served as prosecuting attorney for Isle of Wight County
  • Died in Smithfield, Virginia, and was interred at Old St. Luke’s Church
  • Lost his first election for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1841 but was elected in 1843, 1845, and 1847