Reuben Chapman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 13th Governor of Alabama | |
| In office December 16, 1847 – December 17, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | Joshua L. Martin |
| Succeeded by | Henry W. Collier |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | District inactive |
| Succeeded by | Williamson Robert Winfield Cobb |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | |
| Preceded by | District inactive |
| Succeeded by | District inactive |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1841 | |
| Preceded by | Clement Comer Clay |
| Succeeded by | District inactive |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 15, 1799 Bowling Green, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | May 17, 1882 (aged 82) Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Reuben Chapman (July 15, 1799 – May 17, 1882) was an American lawyer and politician. He served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1835 to 1847, and as the 13th Governor of Alabama from 1847 to 1849.
Born on July 15, 1799, in Bowling Green, Virginia, he moved to Alabama in 1824, where he established a law practice.
He represented Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives from March 4, 1835, to March 3, 1847, and served as the 13th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1847 to 1849.
While a member of the House of Representatives, he had a very contentious relationship with the French ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt. In 1844 the ambassador had made remarks towards him, and Virginia congressman George W. Hopkins, and Chapman challenged Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt to a duel. However, the French ambassador backed down. That same year the French ambassador also offended Virginia congressman Lewis Steenrod, though it is unknown precisely what words were exchanged. Chapman and Hopkins grew so hostile towards the French ambassador that in 1846, President James K. Polk eventually asked the French government to send Monsieur Fourier home and select a new ambassador to the United States.[1]
He died in Huntsville, Alabama on May 17, 1882.
