John Lyde Wilson

John Lyde Wilson (May 24, 1784 – February 12, 1849) was the 49th Governor of South Carolina from 1822 to 1824 and an ardent supporter of dueling.

For other people named John Wilson, see John Wilson (disambiguation).
John Lyde Wilson
49th Governor of South Carolina
In office
December 1, 1822 – December 1, 1824
LieutenantHenry Bradley
Preceded byThomas Bennett Jr.
Succeeded byRichard Irvine Manning I
President of the South Carolina Senate
In office
November 25, 1822 – December 7, 1822
GovernorThomas Bennett Jr.
Preceded byBenjamin Huger
Succeeded byJacob Bond I'On
Member of the South Carolina Senate from Georgetown District
In office
November 27, 1826 – November 22, 1830
In office
November 23, 1818 – December 7, 1822
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Georgetown District
In office
November 25, 1816 – November 23, 1818
In office
November 23, 1812 – November 28, 1814
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Marlboro District
In office
November 24, 1806 – November 28, 1808
Personal details
Born(1784-05-24)May 24, 1784
Marlboro County, South Carolina
DiedFebruary 12, 1849(1849-02-12) (aged 64)
Charleston, South Carolina
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
Spouse(s)Charlotte Alston
Rebecca Eden

Early life and career

Born in Marlboro County, Wilson studied law in Baltimore and was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1807. He practiced law in Georgetown and became active in politics by being elected to three non-consecutive terms to the South Carolina House of Representatives. Wilson gained election to the South Carolina Senate in 1818 and was chosen by his colleagues to be the president of the senate. In 1822, the General Assembly elected him as Governor of South Carolina for a two-year term.

As Governor

Governor Wilson believed in states' rights and assailed the U.S. Congress for carrying out internal improvements as a result of revenues brought in by the tariff of 1824. During his term as governor, Wilson advocated the humane reform of the Negro Laws and backed the incorporation of the Medical College of South Carolina in 1823.

Later life and career

Wilson won re-election to the state Senate in 1826, but was pressed for impeachment by Thomas S. Grimké, who accused Wilson of being reckless with the State's finances, as governor. Having felt that his honor had been impugned, Wilson challenged Grimké to a duel. However, both sides agreed to "set aside their Differences" when the contingent funds were accounted for.

In 1832, Wilson participated in the Nullification Convention and was firmly committed to secession. He additionally served as a leader of a Lynching Club which acted as a vigilante group to enforce the law and maintain Southern sensibilities. When a mob went to the Charleston post office in 1835 to confiscate mail containing abolitionist literature, Wilson supported their efforts and endorsed their actions. Based mostly on personal experience, Wilson penned The Code of Honor in 1838 which described a set of guidelines for duelists and he argued that it would save lives instead of encouraging duels.

Wilson died on February 12, 1849, and was buried at St. Paul's Church in Charleston.

References
  • Wallace, David Duncan (1951). South Carolina: A Short History. University of North Carolina Press. pp. 390, 411, 415, 421, 437, 492, 494.
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