Claiborne, William C. C. (William Charles Cole), 1775-1817. | Tulane University Special Collections

Name: Claiborne, William C. C. (William Charles Cole), 1775-1817.

Historical Note: William Charles Cole Claiborne (1775-1817) was the first governor of Louisiana. He was a member of the House of Representatives from Tennessee; he then became Governor of the Mississippi Territory from 1801 to 1803. Claiborne moved to New Orleans and oversaw the transfer of Louisiana to U.S. control after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Claiborne was the first elected governor after Louisiana became a state, winning the election of 1812 against Jacques Villeré, and serving from 1812 through 1816. After serving as governor, he became a United States Senator and served from April, 1817 until his death.

Sources: Manuscripts Collection 427

Note Author: LAC Group

Records or Manuscript Collections Created by Claiborne, William C. C. (William Charles Cole), 1775-1817.