James DeWolf, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

James DeWolf

American politician

Date of Birth: 18-Mar-1764

Place of Birth: Bristol, Rhode Island, United States

Date of Death: 21-Dec-1837

Profession: military personnel, politician

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

James DeWolf (March 18, 1764 – December 21, 1837) was a slave trader, a privateer during the War of 1812, and a state and national politician.
He gained notoriety in 1791 when indicted for murdering a slave said to have smallpox, whom he said threatened the lives of all of the other slaves and crew because of the disease.
The case was ultimately dismissed and was considered justifiable under contemporary law.
During his lifetime, his name was usually written "James D'Wolf". He served as a state legislator for a total of nearly 25 years, and in the 1820s as a United States senator from Rhode Island for much of a term.
Along with the slave trade, DeWolf invested in sugar and coffee plantations in Cuba and became the wealthiest man in his state; by the end of his life, he was said to be the second-richest person in the entire United States.