William Blount

Democratic Republican Senator of Tennessee

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1749 (51 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1800

Death

Signer of the Constitution of the United States
Member of the North Carolina delegation at the Constitutional Convention of 1787
Led efforts for North Carolina to ratify the Constitution in 1789
Served as the only governor of the Southwest Territory
Played a key role in the admission of Tennessee to the Union
Selected as one of Tennessee’s initial United States Senators in 1796
Expelled from the Senate for treason in 1797
Served as a paymaster during the American Revolutionary War
Elected to the North Carolina legislature in 1781 and served in various roles throughout the decade
Advocated for the settlement of lands west of the Appalachians
As governor, negotiated the Treaty of Holston in 1791, acquiring Indian lands for the U.S.
Engaged in aggressive land speculation, acquiring millions of acres in Tennessee and the Trans-Appalachian West
Owned slaves
Involved in a conspiracy to assist Great Britain in taking over Spanish-controlled territories to boost land prices
Remained popular in Tennessee despite national scandal, serving in the state senate later in life
Born to a prominent North Carolina family with limited formal education but involved in family business ventures from a young age
Died in 1800 and was buried in Knoxville, Tennessee