Grundy, Felix

Grundy, Felix, 1777–1840, American political leader, b. Berkeley co., Va. After a successful career in Kentucky, he moved to Nashville, Tenn., where he became a noted criminal lawyer. A member (1811–14) of Congress, he joined the "war hawks" in strongly urging the War of 1812. His political power in Tennessee forced Andrew Jackson to keep his support, and Grundy succeeded to John H. Eaton's seat in the U.S. Senate when Eaton entered (1829) Jackson's cabinet. Grundy gave Jackson little support in the nullification crisis, but was reelected (1833) despite Jackson's opposition. He was appointed (1838) Attorney General by President Van Buren and resigned (1839) to return to the Senate.

Bibliography

See biography by J. H. Parks (1940).

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Grundy, Felix (1777–1840) U.S. representative/senator; born in Berkley County, Va. Home-schooled, he served in the Kentucky legislature (1801–06) before becoming a successful criminal lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee (1807–40). A Whig representative (1811–15) and senator (1827–38), he resigned to become President Martin Van Buren's attorney general.