James L. Alcorn
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James Lusk Alcorn (November 4, 1816–December 19, 1894) was a prominent American political figure in Mississippi during the 19th century. Alcorn was a wealthy planter and member of the Whig party. He served in the state house of representatives and senate during the 1840s and 1850s. Like many Whig planters in Mississippi, Alcorn initially opposed secession but later cast his lot with the Confederacy. During the American Civil War, he rose to the rank of general in the Confederate Army by war's end. He managed to maintain his wealth during the Civil War by illegally trading cotton with the North.
Alcorn later served as Republican Governor from 1870 to 1871, and resigned to become a U.S. Senator (1871–1877).
During the Reconstruction era, Alcorn was an advocate of modernizing the South. Although a believer in white supremacy, he supported civil and political rights for African-Americans.
Alcorn County, Mississippi is named in his honor.
| Preceded by: Adelbert Ames | Governor of Mississippi 1870-1871 | Succeeded by: Ridgely C. Powers |