Alexander Thomson

Alexander Thomson (January 12, 1788 – August 2, 1848) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania in the mid-1820s, judge, and law professor. He opened a law school in Chambersburg, that became the law department of Marshall College. Early life and education Alexander Thomson was born at Scotland, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, both of his parents died young. His father was Archibald Thomson, who served during the Revolutionary War, and died December 1801. His mother was Ann Thomson, who died after 1801. Alexander was the grandson of immigrant Alexander Thomson who arrived from Scotland in 1771 and settled with his wife and 12 children near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Thomson was the eldest of six children. His siblings were James, Elizabeth, Jane, Agnes, and Hannah. When he was 15, he was apprenticed as a sickle maker with his uncle, Andrew Thomson. He was a self-taught scholar of Latin and Greek languages. He was hired by Reverend Isaac Grier to be a tutor at his classical school in the Cumberland Valley. While there, he also furthered his education. After three years, he moved to Bedford, where he taught languages at the Bedford Classical Academy. Career He studied law under Judge James Riddle in Bedford, was admitted to the bar in 1816, and commenced practice in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He held several local offices and was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1823.