John Gaillard

John Gaillard (September 5, 1765 – February 26, 1826) was a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.

John Gaillard
United States Senator from South Carolina
In office January 31, 1805 – February 26, 1826
Preceded by	Pierce Butler
Succeeded by	William Harper
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office January 25, 1820 – December 4, 1825
Preceded by	James Barbour
Succeeded by	Nathaniel Macon
In office November 25, 1814 – January 5, 1819
Preceded by	Joseph B. Varnum
Succeeded by	James Barbour
In office February 28, 1810 – December 11, 1810
Preceded by	Andrew Gregg
Succeeded by	John Pope
Personal details
Born	(1765-09-05)September 5, 1765 Province of South Carolina
Died	February 26, 1826(1826-02-26) (aged 60) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Democratic-Republican

Gaillard was born in St. Stephen's district, South Carolina, on September 5, 1765. He was of Huguenot descent. He was elected to the United States Senate in place of Pierce Butler, who resigned, and served from January 31, 1805, until his death in Washington, D.C., on February 26, 1826. During his tenure, Gaillard voted for the War of 1812. He served as President pro tempore of the Senate during part of the 11th Congress and at least part of every Congress from the 13th to the 18th. He was also first in the presidential line of succession from November 25, 1814, two days after the death of Vice President Elbridge Gerry, to March 4, 1817. He was the longest-serving Senator in U.S. history at the time of his death.

In his memoir Thirty Years' View, Thomas H. Benton, one of Gaillard's contemporaries, described him thus:

Urbane in his manners, amiable in temper, scrupulously impartial, uniting absolute firmness of purpose with the greatest gentleness of manners—such were the qualifications which commended him to the presidency of the senate. There was probably not an instance of disorder or a disagreeable scene in the chamber during his long-continued presidency. He classed democratically, but was as much the favorite of one side of the house as of the other, and that in the high party times of the war with Great Britain, which so much exasperated party spirit.

Gaillard died in Washington, D.C., on February 26, 1826, and was interred in the Congressional Cemetery.

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