William Wirt (attorney general)

William Wirt
Portrait, c. 1810–1834
9th United States Attorney General
In office November 13, 1817 – March 4, 1829
President	James Monroe John Quincy Adams
Preceded by	Richard Rush
Succeeded by	John M. Berrien
United States Attorney for the District of Virginia
In office 1816–1817
President	James Madison James Monroe
Preceded by	George Hay
Succeeded by	Robert Stanard
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Richmond City
In office December 5, 1808 – December 4, 1809
Preceded by	John Foushee
Succeeded by	Andrew Stevenson
6th Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office December 2, 1799 – December 6, 1802
Preceded by	John Stewart
Succeeded by	James Pleasants
Personal details
Born	(1772-11-08)November 8, 1772 Bladensburg, Maryland, British America
Died	February 18, 1834(1834-02-18) (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican (Before 1825) Anti-Masonic (1832–1834)
Spouse(s)	Mildred Gilmer (Deceased 1799) Elizabeth Washington Gamble
Signature

William Wirt (November 8, 1772 – February 18, 1834) was an American author and statesman who is credited with turning the position of United States Attorney General into one of influence. He was the longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history. He was also the Anti-Masonic nominee for president in the 1832 election.

Wirt grew up in Maryland but pursued a legal career in Virginia, passing the Virginia bar in 1792. After holding various positions, he served as the prosecutor in Aaron Burr's trial for treason. He won election to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1808 and was appointed as a United States Attorney in 1816. The following year, President James Monroe appointed him to the position of United States Attorney General. Wirt remained in that office for the next twelve years, serving under Monroe and John Quincy Adams. He continued his law career after leaving office, representing the Cherokee in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.

Though Wirt was himself a former Freemason, the Anti-Masonic Party nominated him for president in 1832. Wirt did not actively campaign for office and refused to publicly speak against Masonry. Nonetheless, the ticket of Wirt and Amos Ellmaker carried the state of Vermont, becoming the first third party presidential ticket to win a state. After the election, Wirt continued to practice law until his death in 1834. Wirt County, West Virginia, is named in Wirt's honor.