Burwell Boykin Lewis (July 7, 1838 – October 11, 1885) represented both Alabama's 6th congressional district and Alabama's At-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

Burwell Boykin Lewis
Congressman Burwell B. Lewis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded byAlexander White
Succeeded byDistrict inactive
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1879 – October 1, 1880
Preceded byGoldsmith W. Hewitt
Succeeded byNewton Nash Clements
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office
1870-1872
Personal details
Born
John Crowell

(1838-07-07)July 7, 1838
Montgomery, Alabama
DiedOctober 11, 1885(1885-10-11) (aged 47)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Early life

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Lewis was born in Montgomery, Alabama and soon moved, with his parents, to Mobile, Alabama. Both parents died while in Mobile and young Lewis went to Montevallo, Alabama in Shelby County, Alabama to live with an uncle. While there he attended private schools. Upon completion he moved to Tuscaloosa where he attended the University of Alabama. He next moved to Selma where he studied law. Lewis was admitted to the bar in 1859 and began to practice law in Montevallo. With the outbreak of the American Civil War Lewis enlisted in the Confederate States Army. He served with the Second Alabama Cavalry and attained the rank of captain. [1]

Political life

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Lewis was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872. He moved to Tuscaloosa where he engaged in business activities before being elected to an at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1875. This seat was to represent the 8th congressional district which was first apportioned as a result of the 1880 census. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the 1876 election but was elected to the 6th congressional district in 1878. He began his service in March 1879 and served until October 1880 when he resigned to serve as the president of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Later life

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Lewis served as president of the UA for just over five years until his death in Tuscaloosa, in 1885.

References

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's at-large congressional district

1875–1877
Succeeded by
District inactive
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 6th congressional district

1879–1880
Succeeded by