born Aug. 16, 1798, Louisville, Ga., U.S.
died Dec. 19, 1859, Richmond, Texas
U.S. politician.
After an unsuccessful career as a merchant in Alabama, he served as secretary to the governor of Georgia and later became editor of a newspaper favouring states' rights. He then moved to Texas, where he became involved in the independence struggle against Mexico. As a cavalry commander, he helped win the Battle of San Jacinto (1836) and was later appointed secretary of war in the provisional Texas government. He was elected vice president of the Republic of Texas under Sam Houston , whom he succeeded as president (1838–41). He initially opposed annexation to the U.S., but after 1844 he advocated statehood to ensure the continuation of slavery.