Edward Gilbert | |
|---|---|
 Gilbertc. 1849–1852 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia'sat-large district | |
| In office September 11, 1850 – March 3, 1851 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. McCorkle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1819 (1819) Cherry Valley, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 2, 1852(1852-08-02) (aged 32–33) nearSacramento, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Edward Gilbert (c. 1819 – August 2, 1852) was an American newspaper editor andDemocraticCalifornia politician. From 1850 to 1851, he served briefly as a member of theUnited States House of Representatives.
Gilbert was born inCherry Valley, New York.[1]
During theMexican–American War of 1846–48, he served in the US Army.[2] After his regiment arrived inSan Francisco, California in 1847, Gilbert was discharged from service and chose to remain in California.
In 1849, Gilbert partnered with businessman Edward Kemble and printer G. O. Hubbard to found theAlta California weekly paper, where Gilbert worked as senior editor for the next four years.[3]
In September 1849, Gilbert became the youngest delegate to the Constitutional Convention, winning the San Francisco delegate position with 1,512 out of the 1,519 votes cast.[3] He was elected in November 1849 at-large as one of California's first two Representatives in the31st Congress, and served from September 11, 1850, until March 3, 1851.[1][4]
In 1852, Gilbert wrote an article that chargedGeneral James W. Denver with "negligence and gross mismanagement" in an expedition to aid destitute immigrants, and the increasing conflict between Gilbert and Denver finally led Gilbert to challenge him to a duel.[3] After several missed shots from both men, Denver shot Gilbert in the abdomen, killing him.[3][1]
Gilbert was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery, San Francisco.[1] Later, after the city banned cemeteries within city-limits, his remains were removed and buried in the Laurel Hill Mound mass grave of Cyprus Lawn Memorial Park inColma.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| New constituency | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's at-large congressional district Seat B 1850–1851 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
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