Thomas Hickman Williams

Thomas Hickman Williams
United States Senator from Mississippi
In office November 12, 1838 – March 4, 1839
Preceded by	James F. Trotter
Succeeded by	John Henderson
Personal details
Born	(1801-01-20)January 20, 1801 Williamson County, Tennessee
Died	May 3, 1851(1851-05-03) (aged 50) Pontotoc, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic

Thomas Hickman Williams (January 20, 1801 – May 3, 1851) was a United States Senator from Mississippi. Born in Williamson County, Tennessee, he attended the common schools, moved to Mississippi and settled in Pontotoc County, and engaged in planting. He was appointed and subsequently elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James F. Trotter and served from November 12, 1838, to March 3, 1839. He ran as a candidate in the 1843 Mississippi gubernatorial election, losing to Albert G. Brown.[1] He was secretary and treasurer of the University of Mississippi at Oxford from 1845 to 1851 and was known as "Father of the State University," being the first to propose it and also aiding to secure it.

Williams died on his plantation south of Pontotoc in 1851; interment was in the private cemetery on the family estate.

References

1. Busbee, Westley F. (2015). Mississippi: A History (1st ed.). John Wiley and Sons. pp. 161–162.

Works Cited

• United States Congress. "Thomas Hickman Williams (id: W000539)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. Senate
Preceded by James F. Trotter	U.S. senator (Class 1) from Mississippi 1838–1839 Served alongside: Robert J. Walker	Succeeded by John Henderson