Tristam Burges

Anti-Jacksonian Representative of Rhode Island

Congresses Served

House Terms

February 26, 1770 (83 years old)

Birthday

October 13, 1853

Death

Born in 1770 in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Early education included attending common schools and studying medicine before switching to law.
Graduated as valedictorian from Rhode Island College (now Brown University) in 1796.
Admitted to the bar in 1799 and began practicing law in Providence, Rhode Island.
Served in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1811 and was a prominent member of the Federalist Party.
Appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in 1815, serving for one year.
Held a position as a professor of oratory and belles lettres at Brown University from 1815 until his dismissal in 1830.
Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1825, serving for ten years and known for his debates with John Randolph.
Advocated for protective trade tariffs and lost re-election due to refusal to compromise on tariff issues.
Served on various congressional committees related to pensions and claims.
Ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Rhode Island as a Whig candidate in 1836.
Returned to practicing law after his congressional career.
Died in 1853 on his estate, “Watchemoket Farm,” and was buried in North Burial Ground, Providence, Rhode Island.