Pickens, Francis Wilkinson

Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, 1805–69, American politician, b. Colleton District, S.C.; grandson of Andrew Pickens. A lawyer, he served in the state house of representatives and was an ardent supporter of nullification. Pickens was a Democrat in Congress (1834–43) and was minister to Russia (1858–60). Under his administration as governor of South Carolina (1860–62), the state seceded and demanded the surrender of the federal forts in Charleston harbor.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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