SWANN, Thomas, governor of Maryland, born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1805; died near Leesburg, Virginia, 24 July, 1883 His father was United States district attorney for the District of Columbia After receiving his education at Columbian college and at the University of Virginia the son studied law with his father, and was made secretary to the Meapolitan commission. He settled in Baltimore in 1834, and became a director of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in 1836, of which he was president from 1847 till 1853, and he was also president of the Northwestern Virginia railroad. After his return from Europe he was elected mayor of Baltimore in 1856, and re-elected in 1858. Before the civil war he emancipated his slaves, and he was an earnest supporter of the Union throughout the contest. He was elected governor of Maryland in 1864, and served from 1 January, 1865, until 1 January, 1869, refusing to leave the executive chair when he was elected United States senator in 1866. He was afterward chosen to congress as a Democrat for five successive terms, serving from 4 March, 1869, till 3 March, 1879.