John Renshaw Thomson (September 25, 1800-September 12, 1862) was a Democratic US Senator from New Jersey. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; attended the common schools in Princeton, New Jersey, and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University); went to China in 1817 and became a merchant in Canton; United States consul at that port 1823-1825; returned to the United States and settled in Princeton, N.J.; director and secretary of the Delaware & Raritan Canal Company; connected with the Philadelphia & Trenton Railroad Company as president and later as treasurer; member of the State constitutional convention in 1844; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1844; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert F. Stockton; reelected in 1857, and served from March 4, 1853, until his death in Princeton, N.J.; chairman, Committee on Patents and the Patent Office (Thirty-sixth United States Congress), Committee on Pensions (Thirty-sixth Congress); interment in the Princeton Cemetery.
Preceded by: Robert F. Stockton US Senator (Class 1) from New Jersey 1853-1862 Succeeded by: Richard S. Field This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
