Thomas Walker Gilmer

Thomas Walker Gilmer (April 6, 1802–February 28, 1844) was an American statesman.

Born in Gilmerton, Virginia, Gilmer studied law, practiced in Charlottesville, Virginia, and served for many years in the Virginia House of Delegates (1829–1836, 1839–1840), for two sessions as speaker. From 1840 until 1841 he served as Governor of Virginia. In 1841 he entered the 27th U.S. Congress, and although he had been elected as a Whig, sustained President John Tyler's vetoes. He was re-elected to the 28th Congress as a Democrat in 1842 by a close vote. His competitor, William L. Goggin, contested the result without success.

He was married to Anne E. Baker, daughter of John Baker of West Virginia.

On February 15, 1844, he was appointed by Tyler to be U.S. Secretary of the Navy, and resigned his seat in congress on February 18 to enter on the duties of the office, but 10 days later was killed by the bursting of a gun on board USS Princeton while on a tour of the Potomac River.

He is buried at Mount Air Cemetery in Albermarle County, Virginia.

Two ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Gilmer in his honor.

Gilmer County, West Virginia is named in his honor.

The city of Gilmer, Texas is named in his honor.

Sources

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
• This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• This article incorporates text from the public domain Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography.