Richard Alsop Wise

Richard Alsop Wise (September 2, 1843 – December 21, 1900) was an educator and politician from Virginia. He was a U.S. Representative for parts of two terms. He was a son of Henry Alexander Wise, grandson of John Sergeant, brother of John Sergeant Wise, and cousin of George Douglas Wise, all U.S. Representatives.

Richard Alsop Wise
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district
In office March 12, 1900 – December 21, 1900
Preceded by	William A. Young
Succeeded by	Harry L. Maynard
In office April 26, 1898 – March 3, 1899
Preceded by	William A. Young
Succeeded by	William A. Young
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office 1885–1887
Personal details
Born	(1843-09-02)September 2, 1843 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	December 21, 1900(1900-12-21) (aged 57) Williamsburg, Virginia
Resting place	Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	College of William and Mary Medical College of Virginia
Profession	civil servant, professor, physician
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate Army
Unit	Army of Northern Virginia Wise's Brigade of Infantry, Stuart's Cavalry Corps
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Biography

Early life

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of future Governor of Virginia Henry A. Wise and Sarah Sergeant, daughter of U.S. Representative John Sergeant. He attended private schools in Richmond, Virginia, Harrison's Academy in Albemarle County, Virginia, and then the College of William and Mary for two years, until the American Civil War began.

Civil War

During the war, he served in the Confederate States Army, first as a private in Stuart's cavalry, and then as an aide to his father, who was a brigadier general. Officially he was Assistant Inspector General of Wise's Brigade, in the Army of Northern Virginia.

Medical career

He graduated in medicine from the Medical College of Virginia in 1867 and practiced that profession for a few years.

In 1869, he returned to William and Mary as Professor of Chemistry, and taught there until 1881. From 1882 to 1885 he was Superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum of Virginia.

In 1871 he helped reorganize a volunteer militia for the city of Williamsburg and James City County, Virginia, which he commanded. Known as the Wise Light Infantry, the unit continued at least through 1885, when it appeared during the inaugural festivities of President Grover Cleveland in Washington.

Political career

Despite his Confederate background, Richard Wise became a Republican. He was a delegate to every Republican state convention in Virginia from 1879 to 1900. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1892, 1896, and 1900.

He also held many political offices. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1885–1887.

He was Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts of the city of Williamsburg and James City County in 1888–1894.

In 1896, Wise ran for U.S. Representative, but lost to Democrat William A. Young. Wise successfully contested the election result, and served in the Fifty-fifth Congress from April 26, 1898, to March 3, 1899.

This result was repeated in 1898; Wise served in the Fifty-sixth Congress from March 12, 1900, until his death in Williamsburg on December 21, 1900. He was interred in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.

Electoral history

• 1896 Wise was defeated in his bid for election to the U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat William Albin Young. However, Wise contested the election result. The House upheld his appeal and Wise was seated. He won a special election unopposed.
• 1898: Wise was defeated for re-election by Democrat Young. He again contested the election result, was again seated by the House, and again won a special election unopposed.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)

Sources

• United States Congress. "Richard Alsop Wise (id: W000653)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x004788346;view=1up;seq=11 Memorial addresses on the life and character of Richard Alsop Wise, late a representative from Virginia delivered in the House of Representatives and Senate frontispiece 1901

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress