Richard Bassett (Delaware politician)


Richard Bassett was a Delaware attorney and politician, veteran of the American Revolutionary War, delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, signer of the United States Constitution, United States Senator from Delaware, Chief Justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas, Governor of Delaware and a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit. He holds the overall seniority position of #1 in the history of the United States Senate.

Education and career

Born on April 2, 1745, in Cecil County, Province of Maryland, British America, Bassett pursued preparatory studies, then read law. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Delaware. By concentrating on agricultural pursuits as well as religious and charitable concerns, he quickly established himself amongst the local gentry and "developed a reputation for hospitality and philanthropy." He was a member of the Delaware constitutional conventions of 1776 and 1792. He was a member of the Council of Safety in Dover, Delaware from 1776 to 1786. He served in the Delaware State Militia as a company captain of the Dover Light Horse Regiment from 1777 to 1781. He was a member of the Delaware Legislative Council in 1782. He was a member of the Delaware House of Representatives in 1786. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and was a signer of the United States Constitution. He was a member of the Delaware convention which ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. He was in private practice in Wilmington, Delaware from 1787 to 1789.

Congressional service

Bassett was elected to the United States Senate from Delaware and served from March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1793, first as a member of the Anti-Administration Party and later as a member of the Pro-Administration Party. He holds the overall seniority position of #1 in the history of the United States Senate.

Later career

Bassett was Chief Justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas from 1793 to 1799. He was Governor of Delaware from 1799 to 1801.

Federal judicial service

Bassett was nominated by President John Adams on February 18, 1801, to the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 2 Stat. 89. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1801, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on July 1, 1802, due to abolition of the court.

Later life and death

After leaving the federal bench, Bassett became a planter in Cecil County from 1802 to 1815. He died on September 15, 1815, on his estate Bohemia Manor in Cecil County. He was initially interred in Cecil County, Maryland and in 1865 his remains were reinterred in Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

Family

Bassett was the grandfather of Richard H. Bayard and James A. Bayard Jr., both United States Senators from Delaware.

Honor

Bassett Street in Wisconsin's capital, Madison, is named in Bassett's honor.

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