OVERVIEW:

FULL NAME:
Thomas Walker Gilmer

BORN:
April 6, 1802
Albemarle County, Virginia

DIED:
February 28, 1844 (age 41)
Potomac River, Maryland

POLITICAL PARTY:
Whig (Before 1842)
Democratic (1842–1844)

HIGHLIGHTS:
1829-1836:
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
1839-1840:
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
1840-1841:
Governor of Virginia 
1841-1844
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Whig from Virginia 
February 19-28, 1844:
U.S. Secretary of the Navy 
February 28, 1944:
Killed by the bursting of a gun on board the U.S.S. Princeton on the Potomac River, near Washington, DC

RESOURCES:
Biographical Directory of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Virginia House of Delegates
Library of Virginia
Wikipedia

PAPERS:
Library of Virginia