Poindexter, George

Poindexter, George (poin`dĕk'stər), 1779–1853, American political leader, b. Louisa co., Va. After practicing law in Virginia, he moved (1802) to Mississippi. As attorney general of Mississippi he took part in the efforts to bring Aaron Burr to trial. He served (1807–13) in the U.S. Congress and later was (1813–17) U.S. district judge. He was influential in framing (1817) the Mississippi constitution and was chiefly responsible for the revised state law code (1824). Poindexter again served (1817–19) in Congress and was later (1820–21) governor of Mississippi. As U.S. Senator (1830–35) he broke with President Jackson, with whom he had served in the War of 1812.