John Eager HOWARD, Congress, MD (1752-1827)

HOWARD John Eager , a Delegate and a Senator from Maryland; born at 'Belvedere,' near Baltimore, Md., June 4, 1752; was instructed by private tutors; served throughout the Revolutionary War, beginning as a captain and holding the rank of colonel when peace was declared; was voted a medal and the thanks of Congress for gallantry at the Battle of Cowpens 1781; Member of the Continental Congress 1788; Governor of Maryland 1789-1791; member, State senate 1791-1795; elected as a Federalist 1796 to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Richard Potts; reelected on December 9, 1796 and served from November 21, 1796, to March 3, 1803; served as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Sixth Congress; offered the position of Secretary of War by President George Washington, but declined; also declined a commission as brigadier general in the expected war with France in 1798; unsuccessful Federalist candidate for vice president in 1816; died at 'Belvedere,' near Baltimore, Md., October 12, 1827; interment in Old St. Paul's Cemetery, Baltimore, Md.

Bibliography

American National Biography; Dictionary of American Biography; Howard, Cary. "John Eager Howard." Maryland Historical Magazine 62 (September 1967): 300-17; A Memoir of the Late Col. John Eager Howard. Baltimore: Kelly, Hedian Piet, 1863.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present