John White | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by William Gerard Barry, 1911 | |
| 15th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office May 31, 1841 – March 4, 1843 | |
| Preceded by | Robert M. T. Hunter |
| Succeeded by | John W. Jones |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky | |
| In office March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1845 | |
| Preceded by | James Love (9th) Willis Green (6th) |
| Succeeded by | Richard French (9th) John Preston Martin (6th) |
| Constituency | 9th district (1835–43) 6th district (1843–45) |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1832 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John D. White February 14, 1802 Middlesboro, Kentucky |
| Died | September 22, 1845 (aged 43) Richmond, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Frankfort Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig |
| Profession | Lawyer |
John D. White (February 14, 1802 – September 22, 1845) was an American politician who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1841 to 1843. A member of the Whig Party, he represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives from the 9th and 6th districts between 1835 and 1845. He also served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1832. White died by suicide in 1845.
John D. White was born on February 14, 1802, in Middlesboro, Kentucky, to Hugh and Catherine White. He was a member of the White family, a wealthy and politically influential family in Kentucky. He was the first cousin of Addison White, cousin of Hugh Lawson White, and uncle of John D. White, all of whom served in U.S. Congress.[1][2] He attended Tusculum University, where he studied law.[3]
After graduating, White practiced law and earned himself a reputation as a skilled lawyer. A student of Henry Clay, he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1832.[3]
In 1834, White was elected U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 9th congressional district, taking office on March 4, 1835. In 1841, he received 121 votes for speaker, while his Democratic challenger John W. Jones received 84 votes.[4] He served as speaker for one term from May 31, 1841, to March 4, 1843.[2]
In the 1842 elections, Whigs lost control of the house. He was re-nominated as speaker, but ended up losing to his Democratic challenger, John W. Jones by a margin of 128 to 59.[3]
On April 23, 1844, a debate was held, discussing the merit of charges that had been made against Henry Clay. White, a staunch supporter of Clay, delivered a speech defending Clay. George O. Rathbun, a Democratic congressman from New York, began an argument with White. The argument soon escalated to a brawl between the two congressmen, as other members of the house rushed to try to break up the fight. During the fight, an unknown person fired a pistol into the crowd, wounding a police officer. Both White and Rathbun later apologized for their actions.[5]
On February 8, 1845, White was appointed judge of the nineteenth judicial district of Kentucky. He decided not to run for re-election as a U.S. representative, instead deciding to take on full duties as a judge. He held the role of judge until his death by suicide on September 22, 1845.[6]
During a period of ill health and depression, White shot and killed himself with a pistol.[7] It was thought that he committed suicide because it was discovered that he plagiarized one of the last speeches he gave in office from Aaron Burr.[8] White is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky.[2] Whitesburg, Kentucky is named in his honor.[9]
