Richard Alsop Wise | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's2nd district | |
| In office March 12, 1900 – December 21, 1900 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Young |
| Succeeded by | Harry L. Maynard |
| In office April 26, 1898 – March 3, 1899 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Young |
| Succeeded by | William A. Young |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates | |
| In office 1885–1887 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1843-09-02)September 2, 1843 |
| Died | December 21, 1900(1900-12-21) (aged 57) |
| Resting place | Hollywood Cemetery,Richmond, Virginia |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | College of William and Mary Medical College of Virginia |
| Profession | civil servant,professor,physician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | Confederate Army |
| Unit | Army of Northern Virginia Wise's Brigade of Infantry,Stuart's Cavalry Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Richard Alsop Wise (September 2, 1843 – December 21, 1900) was an educator and politician fromVirginia. He was aU.S. representative for parts of two terms. He was a son ofHenry Alexander Wise, grandson ofJohn Sergeant, brother ofJohn Sergeant Wise, and cousin ofGeorge Douglas Wise, all U.S. representatives.
He was born inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of futureGovernor of VirginiaHenry A. Wise and Sarah Sergeant, daughter of U.S. RepresentativeJohn Sergeant. He attended private schools inRichmond, Virginia, Harrison's Academy inAlbemarle County, Virginia, and then theCollege of William and Mary for two years, until theAmerican Civil War began.
During the war, he served in theConfederate States Army, first as a private inStuart's cavalry, and then as an aide to his father, who was a brigadier general. Officially he was Assistant Inspector General of Wise's Brigade, in theArmy of Northern Virginia.
He graduated in medicine from the Medical College of Virginia in 1867 and practiced that profession for a few years.
In 1869, he returned to William and Mary as Professor ofChemistry, and taught there until 1881. From 1882 to 1885 he was Superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum of Virginia.
In 1871 he helped reorganize a volunteer militia for the city of Williamsburg and James City County, Virginia, which he commanded. Known as the Wise Light Infantry, the unit continued at least through 1885, when it appeared during the inaugural festivities of PresidentGrover Cleveland in Washington.
Despite his Confederate background, Richard Wise became a Republican. He was a delegate to every Republican state convention in Virginia from 1879 to 1900. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1892, 1896, and 1900.
He also held many political offices. He was a member of theVirginia House of Delegates in 1885–1887.
He was Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts of the city ofWilliamsburg and James City County in 1888–1894.
In 1896, Wise ran forU.S. Representative, but lost toDemocratWilliam A. Young. Wise successfully contested the election result, and served in theFifty-fifth Congress from April 26, 1898, to March 3, 1899.
This result was repeated in 1898; Wise served in theFifty-sixth Congress from March 12, 1900, until his death in Williamsburg on December 21, 1900. He was interred in Hollywood Cemetery,Richmond, Virginia.
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by William A. Young | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's 2nd congressional district 1898–1899 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by William A. Young | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's 2nd congressional district 1900 | Succeeded by |
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