Richard Yates (politician)

Richard Yates
Yates c. 1860–75
United States Senator from Illinois
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	William A. Richardson
Succeeded by	John A. Logan
13th Governor of Illinois
In office January 14, 1861 – January 16, 1865
Lieutenant	Francis Hoffmann
Preceded by	John Wood
Succeeded by	Richard J. Oglesby
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois
In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Thomas L. Harris
Succeeded by	Thomas L. Harris
Constituency	7th district (1851–53) 6th district (1853–55)
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office 1842–1845 1848–1849
Personal details
Born	January 18, 1815 Warsaw, Kentucky
Died	November 27, 1873(1873-11-27) (aged 58) St. Louis, Missouri
Political party	Whig (until 1854) Republican (after 1854)
Alma mater	Illinois College Transylvania University
Profession	Politician
Signature

Richard Yates (January 18, 1815 – November 27, 1873) was an American attorney and politician who served as the 13th Governor of Illinois from 1861 to 1865 during the American Civil War. He also represented the state in the United States House of Representatives from 1851 to 1855 and the United States Senate from 1865 to 1871.

Yates is considered^{[by whom?]} one of the most effective war governors and was nicknamed the "Soldiers' Friend". He took energetic measures to secure Cairo, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri against rebel attack. He helped organize the Illinois contingent of Union soldiers and commissioned Ulysses S. Grant, among others, as a colonel for an Illinois regiment.^[1] He supported the Emancipation Proclamation.^[2][3] As a Senator, he supported the impeachment and removal of President Andrew Johnson from office.^[4]