John Adair

Jacksonian Representative of Kentucky's 7th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

Senate Terms

January 9, 1757 (83 years old)

Birthday

May 19, 1840

Death

Served as the eighth Governor of Kentucky and held positions in both the U.S. House and Senate.
A veteran of the American Revolutionary War, he was captured twice and endured harsh treatment as a prisoner of war.
Participated in the Northwest Indian War and was recognized for his military leadership.
Elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives multiple times and served as Speaker of the House.
Appointed to the U.S. Senate but did not win a full term due to involvement in a treason conspiracy linked to Aaron Burr, from which he was later acquitted.
His reputation was restored through service in the War of 1812, where he defended Kentucky’s soldiers against accusations of cowardice.
Elected governor in 1820, he focused on financial relief measures during the economic crisis following the Panic of 1819.
Established the Bank of the Commonwealth to provide loans and issued paper money, although this led to legal challenges regarding its constitutionality.
Advocated for public education and prison reform during his governorship.
Returned to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1831 but had a brief and largely uneventful term.
His legacy includes the naming of several places in Kentucky and beyond in his honor.