John Macpherson Berrien

Whig Senator of Georgia

Senator
Georgia
December 5, 1825 - March 14, 1829
Senator
Georgia
May 31, 1841 - March 3, 1847
Senator
Georgia
December 6, 1847 - May 28, 1852

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1781 (75 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1856

Death

Served as United States Senator from Georgia and Attorney General of the United States during Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
Born in New Jersey but moved to Savannah, Georgia, in early childhood.
Graduated from Princeton College in 1796 and was admitted to the bar at age 18.
Served as a captain in the Georgia Hussars during the War of 1812.
Initially a leader among Georgia’s Federalists, later became a Jacksonian Democrat, and eventually aligned with the Whig and Know Nothing parties.
Argued against the freedom of slaves captured at sea in The Antelope case, citing the Constitution and the foundational role of slavery in the union.
Resigned from the Senate to become Attorney General, where he prosecuted a high-profile embezzlement case.
Supported states’ rights during the Nullification Crisis and considered the Negro Seamen Acts as appropriate exercises of states’ police powers.
Resigned from the Attorney General position and returned to law practice before being re-elected to the U.S. Senate as a Whig.
Became aligned with the Southern Rights Party, opposing the Compromise of 1850 and the Wilmot Proviso.
Served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary during multiple Congresses.
Was a slaveholder, owning a significant number of slaves throughout his life.
Died in Savannah, Georgia, and is interred in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Berrien County in Georgia and Michigan are named after him.
Founded the Georgia Historical Society in 1839 and served as its first president.
The Georgia Historical Society annually presents the John Macpherson Berrien Award for outstanding contributions to Georgia history.