James D. Richardson

1843–1914 (age 71)

Unknown

Biography

James D. Richardson earned a reputation as a diligent lawyer and legislator before entering Congress, where he represented his Tennessee constituents with clarity of purpose and a commitment to the principles of the republic.

He later devoted himself to preserving the nation’s earliest presidential documents, compiling a landmark series that scholars still consult today, ensuring that the foundational words of American leaders remain accessible to generations to come.