American statesman, born in Savannah, GA, in 1757; a descendant of one of the earliest settlers in Georgia. He took part in the Revolutionary War, on the side of the colonies, participating in the capture of the royal governor, Sir James Wright, June 17, 1775. Georgia having fallen into British hands, he took refuge in South Carolina. He did good service at the siege of Savannah by the French fleet. In 1780 he was appointed attorney-general of Georgia. From 1792 to 1802 he was a member of Congress, except in the years 1799 and 1800, and from 1802 to 1806 was governor of his state. From 1806 to 1809 he was a member of the United States Senate, and its president pro tem. in 1809. He was one of the founders of the city of Athens, and of the State University organized there. By special act of the Georgia legislature, the town of Milledgeville was named after him. He died near Augusta, GA, on the 9th of February 1818.
