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"H" is for Hamilton, James, Jr. [1786-1857]

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  "H" is for Hamilton, James, Jr. [1786-1857]. Congressman,  governor. In a state known for its flamboyant politicians, Hamilton was among the most colorful individuals ever to sit in the governor's chair. A famous duelist, he successfully fought fourteen duels, always wounding but never killing his opponents. He represented Charleston in the General Assembly and was the Mayor of Charleston during the Denmark Vesey Crisis. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, he was an ardent nationalist and supporter of Andrew Jackson. After the passage of the Tariff of 1828, he became an advocate of states' rights and vocal proponent of nullification. While governor he presided over the 1832 Nullification Convention. James Hamilton, Jr., had widespread business interests and, for the last twenty years, of his life was heavily involved in the commercial affairs of the Republic of Texas.

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Dr. Walter Edgar has two programs on South Carolina Public Radio: Walter Edgar's Journal, and South Carolina from A to Z. Dr. Edgar received his B.A. degree from Davidson College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969. After two years in the army (including a tour of duty in Vietnam), he returned to USC as a post-doctoral fellow of the National Archives, assigned to the Papers of Henry Laurens.