William Schley

William Schley (pronounced SLY; December 15, 1786 – November 20, 1858) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as governor of Georgia from 1835 to 1837 and as a Jacksonian member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia. An ardent Democrat and strict constructionist, he was active in state and national politics during a formative period in American history, contributing to the legislative process over two terms in Congress and later shaping Georgia’s internal improvements and legal development as governor.

Schley was born on December 15, 1786 (some sources give December 10), in Frederick, Maryland, which was the original domicile of the Schley family in North America. In the early nineteenth century he migrated with other members of his family to Augusta, Georgia, which became his long-term home and the base of his professional and political career. After settling in Georgia, he pursued his education at the academies of Louisville and Augusta, institutions that provided the classical and legal grounding for his later work as a lawyer and public official.

Following his academic preparation, Schley studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1812. He established a legal practice in Augusta, where he quickly gained prominence in the local bar. In addition to his private practice, he contributed to the legal literature of the state by publishing a Digest of the English Statutes in Force in Georgia in 1826, printed in Philadelphia. This work reflected his interest in clarifying and systematizing the legal framework inherited from English law as it applied in Georgia, and it enhanced his reputation as a careful legal thinker.

Schley’s judicial career began when he was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of the Middle District of Georgia, a position he held from 1825 through 1828. In this capacity he presided over important civil and criminal matters in a large and growing region of the state, applying both state and English-derived statutes at a time when Georgia’s legal institutions were still evolving. His service on the bench demonstrated his legal acumen and reinforced his standing as a jurist, paving the way for his entry into elective office.

In 1830, Schley was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, marking his formal transition from the judiciary to legislative politics. His work in the state legislature coincided with a period of intense debate over states’ rights, internal improvements, and the role of the federal government. Building on this experience, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Jacksonian Party, representing Georgia in the 23rd Congress (elected in 1832) and again in the 24th Congress (elected in 1834). As a Jacksonian Democrat, he aligned himself with the policies of President Andrew Jackson, including a strict construction of the Constitution and skepticism toward centralized financial power. During his two terms in Congress, he participated in the democratic process at the national level, representing the interests of his Georgia constituents during a significant period in American history. He resigned his seat in the House in 1835 in order to assume the governorship of Georgia.

Schley became the 36th governor of Georgia in 1835 and served until 1837. His gubernatorial administration was notable for its emphasis on internal improvements and public institutions. He initiated the creation of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, a major state-sponsored rail line intended to connect the interior of Georgia with markets and ports, thereby promoting economic development and settlement. He also advocated for the establishment of a state lunatic asylum, reflecting an early concern for organized care of the mentally ill, and he supported the undertaking of a geological survey of Georgia to better understand and utilize the state’s natural resources. Throughout his tenure, his policies were informed by his Democratic principles and his strict constructionist view of constitutional authority.

After leaving the governorship in 1837, Schley returned to private life in Augusta, where he remained a respected figure in legal and political circles. Although no longer in public office, his earlier work as a legislator, jurist, and governor continued to influence the state’s legal and infrastructural development. He lived in Augusta until his death on November 20, 1858. Schley died in that city and was buried in the Schley family cemetery in Augusta. In recognition of his contributions to Georgia’s political and institutional history, Schley County, Georgia, was named in his honor.