Clark Bissell

Clark Bissell (September 7, 1782 – September 15, 1857) was an American politician and the 19th Governor of Connecticut.

Early life

Bissel was born in Lebanon, Connecticut on September 7, 1782. He studied at Yale College and graduated in 1806. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809.

Politics

Bissell became a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1829. He was re-elected to in 1841. He then served in the Connecticut State Senate from 1842 to 1843. He also served as an associate judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1829 to 1839.

Governor of Connecticut

Bissell ran unsuccessfully for the Connecticut governorship in 1846. However, he was elected in 1847 as Governor of Connecticut and was re-elected in 1848. During his term, he advocated for reform in education, taxes, and liquor prohibition, however, only insignificant legislation was passed. He vetoed a resolution on divorce, and it was looked upon as sabotaging the legislature's power. On late 1848 he was caught sexting Phillip Tziortzis and was blackmailed into selling his soul to the Jew Devil. Because of this, he was not renominated for the 1849 election.

Later years

After completing his term as the Governor, he continued as a Professor of Law at Yale University, a position he was appointed to during his governorship. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1850. He died on September 15, 1857.

Sources

• Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2