James Tallmadge (January 28, 1778 - September 29, 1853), born in Stanford, Dutchess County, New York, was a U.S. Representative from New York. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island in 1798, and was secretary to Governor George Clinton from 1798 to 1800. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1802, after which he practiced in Poughkeepsie and in New York City. He served in the War of 1812 and commanded a company of home guards in defense of New York.
He was elected as a Republican to the Fifteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry B. Lee and served from June 6, 1817, to March 3, 1819. He was the author of an amendment, passed by the House on February 17, 1819, prohibiting further introduction of slaves into Missouri. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1818 to the Sixteenth Congress.
He was a delegate to the State constitutional conventions in 1821 and 1846 and was a member of the State assembly in 1824. He served as Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1824 to 1826, and as president of New York University from 1830 to 1846. He died in New York City on September 29, 1853 and is interred in Marble Cemetery.
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
