CRAWFORD, George Washington, lawyer, born in Columbia County, Georgia, 22 December 1798. He was graduated at Princeton in 1820, and after studying law with Richard Henry Wilde in Augusta, was admitted to the bar in 1822. He was appointed attorney general of Georgia in 1827, and continued in that office until 1831. From 1837 till 1842 was a member of the legislature from Richmond County, with the exception of one year. He then was elected to congress as a Whig to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Richard W. Habersham, and served from 7 February 1843, till 3 March of the same year, during which he was also elected governor of Georgia, and re-elected in 1845. Later he held the office of secretary of war in President Taylor's cabinet, serving from 7 March 1849, till 15 August 1850. On the death of the president Mr. Crawford resigned his portfolio, and subsequently spent some time in travel abroad, after which he returned to Georgia, where he has since resided in retirement at his home in Richmond County.