United States Representative Directory

Henry Laurens Pinckney

Henry Laurens Pinckney served as a representative for South Carolina (1833-1837).

Nullifier
South Carolina
District 1
Former

South Carolina

Role Representative

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State South Carolina

Representing constituents across the South Carolina delegation.

District District 1

District insights and legislative focus areas.

Service period 1833-1837

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

Henry Laurens Pinckney (September 24, 1794 – February 3, 1863) was a U.S. representative from South Carolina, and the son of Charles Pinckney and Mary Eleanor Laurens.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Pinckney attended private schools. He graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) at Columbia in 1812. He studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Charleston.

Pinckney served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (1816–1832). He founded the Charleston Mercury in 1819 and was its sole editor for fifteen years. Between 1829 and 1840, he served six terms as intendant or mayor of Charleston. In 1838, he won among a field of four candidates with the following votes: Pinckney (600), Col. James Lynah (575), Dr. Joseph Johnston (203), and Dr. J.W. Schmidt (141).