William Branch Giles
(12 August 1762 – 4 December 1830), U.S. Senator, Governor of Virginia, and political writer.
Four years after studying law under George Wythe, Giles was elected to Congress where he served alongside James Madison in the House of Representatives. He played an important role in setting up the Republican party to oppose the Federalists. He left Congress after the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, but returned in 1800. He was elected to the Senate in 1804 as a leader of the Republican party. Throughout his career, he gained a reputation for being critical of people in executive positions. After his retirement from Congress, he wrote political essays. He later served as governor of Virginia.
[‘Giles, William Branch’, American National Biography]
Member of
Virginia Delegation - United States Bill of Rights 1789 (2021 Edition)
[this display].