Diplomat and politician, he served both the United States and the Confederate States governments. The son of John Forsyth, who served as Congressman, Governor of Georgia, US Senator, Minister to Spain and Secretary of State, John Forsyth, Jr. graduated from Princeton in 1832, became a lawyer, and moved to Mobile, where he served as US Attorney. He later returned to Georgia, where he was Editor of the Columbus Times. During the Mexican War he served as Adjutant of the First Georgia Regiment. In 1853 he was one of the partners who purchased the Mobile Register, of which he was Editor for nearly twenty five years. A pro-slavery Democrat, in the 1850s he was one of the country's most influential advocates for secession. President Pierce recognized Forsyth's stature by appointing him Minister to Mexico, where he served from 1856 to 1858. Forsyth served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1859, and during the Civil War served as an Alderman and Mayor of Mobile. When the Confederacy was formed Forsyth was one of three commissioners appointed to negotiate secession terms with the federal government, but President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Confederate government, so Forsyth and his colleagues left without an agreement. During the Civil War he was an ardent supporter of the Confederacy, including service on the staff of General Braxton Bragg. After the Civil War he was equally active in opposing Reconstruction.
Diplomat and politician, he served both the United States and the Confederate States governments. The son of John Forsyth, who served as Congressman, Governor of Georgia, US Senator, Minister to Spain and Secretary of State, John Forsyth, Jr. graduated from Princeton in 1832, became a lawyer, and moved to Mobile, where he served as US Attorney. He later returned to Georgia, where he was Editor of the Columbus Times. During the Mexican War he served as Adjutant of the First Georgia Regiment. In 1853 he was one of the partners who purchased the Mobile Register, of which he was Editor for nearly twenty five years. A pro-slavery Democrat, in the 1850s he was one of the country's most influential advocates for secession. President Pierce recognized Forsyth's stature by appointing him Minister to Mexico, where he served from 1856 to 1858. Forsyth served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1859, and during the Civil War served as an Alderman and Mayor of Mobile. When the Confederacy was formed Forsyth was one of three commissioners appointed to negotiate secession terms with the federal government, but President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Confederate government, so Forsyth and his colleagues left without an agreement. During the Civil War he was an ardent supporter of the Confederacy, including service on the staff of General Braxton Bragg. After the Civil War he was equally active in opposing Reconstruction.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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