George Read III

George Read III was born on June 4, 1788, in New Castle, Delaware, into a prominent family with notable political and legal connections. His birthplace was the Read mansion. His paternal grandfather was George Read, a lawyer and politician who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Read's lineage included several individuals involved in the American Revolution; his great uncle Thomas served as an officer in the Continental Navy, and his great uncle James was an officer in the Continental Army and later participated in managing the navy under the Articles of Confederation.

His paternal grandmother was Gertrude Ross Read, daughter of Reverend George Ross, the first rector of the Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, and sister of lawyer George Ross, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. His father, George Read II, was admitted to the bar in 1785 and became the first United States Attorney for the District of Delaware in 1789. By that time, his grandfather was serving as Crown Attorney General for the Delaware Colony and as a member of the Delaware Assembly, and later as a member of the Continental Congress.

George Read III’s mother was Mary Thompson, daughter of General William Thompson. His family lineage connected him to significant figures in early American history, including legal and military leaders.

He pursued higher education at Princeton University, from which he graduated in 1806 with honors. After completing his studies, he studied law under his father’s supervision and was admitted to the bar in Delaware.

On April 19, 1810, George Read III married Louisa Ridgeley Dorsey, from near Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, Dr. Nathan Dorsey, was a surgeon in the Continental Navy and later became a prominent physician in Philadelphia. Dr. Dorsey was also an original member of The Society of the Cincinnati in Pennsylvania.

George Read III served as United States district attorney during the administrations of three U.S. Presidents. He held the position of the second U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, succeeding his father in this role.

He died in his family’s mansion in New Castle, Delaware, on November 1, 1837. His death occurred the same night he was nominated to the United States Senate.

References for this information include the First State National Historical Park and the Read House and Gardens at the Delaware Historical Society.