David Wilmot (politician)

David Wilmot
Judge of the United States Court of Claims
In office
March 7, 1863  March 16, 1868
Appointed byAbraham Lincoln
Preceded bySeat established by 12 Stat. 765
Succeeded bySamuel Milligan
United States Senator
from Pennsylvania
In office
March 14, 1861  March 3, 1863
Preceded bySimon Cameron
Succeeded byCharles R. Buckalew
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th district
In office
March 4, 1845  March 3, 1851
Preceded byGeorge Fuller
Succeeded byGalusha A. Grow
Personal details
Born(1814-01-20)January 20, 1814
Bethany, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 16, 1868(1868-03-16) (aged 54)
Towanda, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery
Towanda, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic (until 1848)
Free Soil (from 1848)
Republican (from 1854)
SpouseAnna Morgan
Children3
Signature

David Wilmot (January 20, 1814 – March 16, 1868) was an American politician and judge. He served as Representative and a Senator for Pennsylvania and as a judge of the Court of Claims. He is best known for being the prime sponsor and eponym of the Wilmot Proviso, a failed proposal to ban the expansion of slavery to western lands gained in the Mexican Cession. A northern Democrat when he introduced and supported the Proviso, he subsequently became a notable member of the anti-slavery Free Soil Party. Later, Wilmot was instrumental in establishing the Republican Party in Pennsylvania.