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Biographical Gazetteer
The following sketches outline the political careers of the principal
Virginia leaders. When known, their political positions are indicated (1)
on the Constitution in 1787-1788; (2) in national politics after 1789.
BROWN, JOHN (1757-1837)
Federalist/Republican
Born Staunton, Augusta Co. Attended College of New Jersey (Princeton), 1776; Col-
lege of William and Mary, 1778-81 (Phi Beta Kappa, 1778). Studied law under Thomas
Jefferson. Moved to Kentucky, 1783, settling first in Danville and later in Frankfort.
State senator, 1784-87. Active in Kentucky statehood movement. Charter member, "The
Political Club," Danville, Ky., 1786. Delegate to Congress, 1787-88. Delegate, Kentucky
constitutional convention, Danville, 1788. U.S. Representative, 1789-92. U.S. Senator
from Kentucky, 1792-1805. Implicated in James Wilkinson's Spanish conspiracy.
CARRINGTON, EDWARD (1749-1810)
Federalist/Federalist
Born Cartersville, Cumberland Co. Member, Cumberland Co. Committee of Safety,
1775-76. Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Continental Artillery, 1776-83; State Superintendent
and Director for Repair of Arms, 1780-81; Continental Deputy Quartermaster General,
and Chief of Artillery, Southern Department, 1781-83. Represented Cumberland, 1784-
86, and Powhatan, 1788-90, in House of Delegates. Delegate to Congress, 1786-88.
U.S. marshal for Virginia, 1789-95. Federal supervisor for collection of excise taxes on
liquors in Virginia, 1791-95. Recorder, 1805, and mayor of Richmond, 1806, 1809.
CORBIN, FRANCIS (1759-1821)
Federalist/
Born Caroline Co., of wealthy Loyalist parents. Attended Cambridge University and
Inner Temple. Returned to Virginia after the Revolution. Represented Middlesex in
House of Delegates, 1784-95, and in state Convention, voted to ratify, 1788. Rector,
College of William and Mary, 1790. Elected U.S. Representative, 1792, but declined to
serve.
GRAYSON, WILLIAM (c. 1736-1790)
Antifederalist/
Born Prince William Co. Entered College of Pennsylvania, 1758, but did not graduate.
Studied law at Inner Temple. Practiced law, Dumfries, Prince William Co. Member,
Prince William Co. Committee of Safety, 1774. Continental Army officer, 1776-79 (aide-
de-camp to George Washington, 1776). Commissioner, Virginia Board of War, 1779-
81. Represented Prince William Co. in House of Delegates, 1784-85, 1788. Delegate
to Congress, 1785-87. Delegate to state Convention, voted against ratification, 1788.
U.S. Senator, 1789-90.
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