John A. King

John Alsop King
20th Governor of New York
In office January 1, 1857 – December 31, 1858
Lieutenant	Henry R. Selden
Preceded by	Myron H. Clark
Succeeded by	Edwin D. Morgan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district
In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by	Frederick W. Lord
Succeeded by	John G. Floyd
Personal details
Born	January 3, 1788 New York City
Died	July 7, 1867 (aged 79) Queens County, New York
Political party	Republican

John Alsop King (January 3, 1788 – July 7, 1867) was an American politician who was Governor of New York from 1857 to 1858.

Life

He was born in the area now encompassed by New York City on 3 January 1788, the son of U.S. Senator Rufus King (1755–1827) and Mary (Alsop) King. He had four brothers, among them Congressman James G. King (1791–1853), and Charles King who was President of Columbia University.

When his father was appointed the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain, the family moved to Britain, and King was educated at Harrow School. Upon graduating from Harrow, King returned to New York City to study law. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in New York City.

John King's law career was interrupted by a stint in the military; he served as a cavalry lieutenant in the War of 1812. After the war, however, he returned to his law practice and then ventured into politics. King was a member of the New York State Assembly (Queens Co.) in 1819, 1820 and 1820–21; of the New York State Senate (First D.) in 1823; and again of the State Assembly in 1832, 1838 and 1840.

King was elected as a Whig to the 31st United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1851. His term as Governor of New York from 1857 to 1858 was noted for improvements to the State's education system and the enlargement of the Erie Canal.

King died on July 7, 1867, in Queens County, New York.

State Senator John A. King (1817–1900) was his son; Congressman Henry Bell Van Rensselaer (1810–1864) was his son-in-law.

References

• United States Congress. "John A. King (id: K000205)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• National Governors Association biography
• Finding Aid to the John A. King Letters, 1825-1883, New York State Library

Further reading

 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "King, Rufus". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.