Augustus C. French

Augustus C. French
French's Portrait in the Illinois State Capitol's Hall of Governors
9th Governor of Illinois
In office
December 9, 1846  January 10, 1853
LieutenantJoseph Wells
William McMurtry
Preceded byThomas Ford
Succeeded byJoel Aldrich Matteson
Personal details
Born
Augustus Chaflin French

(1808-08-02)August 2, 1808
Hill, New Hampshire, US
DiedSeptember 4, 1864(1864-09-04) (aged 56)
Lebanon, Illinois, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLucy Southwick
Residence(s)Crawford County; St. Clair County
OccupationAttorney; Professor of Law
ProfessionPolitician
Signature

Augustus Chaflin French (August 2, 1808 September 4, 1864) was the ninth governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1846 until 1853. He is best known for his fiscal policies, which eliminated the state's debt by the end of his administration, and for the lack of scandals during his administration. His name also graces the Governor French Academy in Belleville, Illinois.