US Congressman and Senator, Mississippi Governor. In 1817 his family moved to Winchester, Mississippi. He graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1834, studied law and became an attorney in Pearlington, Mississippi. McRae also became involved in journalism as founder of Paulding, Mississippi's "Eastern Clarion" newspaper. Active in politics as a Democrat, he served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1848 to 1850, and was Speaker in 1850. In 1851 McRae was appointed to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused when Jefferson Davis resigned to become Secretary of War, serving until 1852. In 1853 he was elected Governor, and served from 1854 to 1858. After leaving the governorship, McRae was the successful candidate in the special election for the US House of Representatives seat left vacant when John A. Quitman died, and he served from December, 1858 until January, 1861, when he withdrew in anticipation of Mississippi's secession. He was then elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, where he served from 1862 to 1864. In May, 1868 he traveled to British Honduras (now Belize), where several former Confederates, including one of his brothers, were attempting to establish a colony. McRae died soon after his arrival in Belize City. As of 2010 there is an ongoing effort by local historical society members in Mississippi to find his remains and return them to the McRae Family Cemetery in Gautier, Mississippi, a privately owned site located between several homes in a housing development.
US Congressman and Senator, Mississippi Governor. In 1817 his family moved to Winchester, Mississippi. He graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1834, studied law and became an attorney in Pearlington, Mississippi. McRae also became involved in journalism as founder of Paulding, Mississippi's "Eastern Clarion" newspaper. Active in politics as a Democrat, he served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1848 to 1850, and was Speaker in 1850. In 1851 McRae was appointed to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused when Jefferson Davis resigned to become Secretary of War, serving until 1852. In 1853 he was elected Governor, and served from 1854 to 1858. After leaving the governorship, McRae was the successful candidate in the special election for the US House of Representatives seat left vacant when John A. Quitman died, and he served from December, 1858 until January, 1861, when he withdrew in anticipation of Mississippi's secession. He was then elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, where he served from 1862 to 1864. In May, 1868 he traveled to British Honduras (now Belize), where several former Confederates, including one of his brothers, were attempting to establish a colony. McRae died soon after his arrival in Belize City. As of 2010 there is an ongoing effort by local historical society members in Mississippi to find his remains and return them to the McRae Family Cemetery in Gautier, Mississippi, a privately owned site located between several homes in a housing development.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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