R.M.T. Hunter

(April 21, 1809 - July 18, 1887)

Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter was born in Mount Pleasant, Virginia. He started his career as a lawyer. He was a member of the Virginia State general assembly (1834-1837), elected to Congress (1837-1843 & 1845-1847), became the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was elected to the Senate (1847-1861) when he withdrew to support the Confederacy. He served as the Confederate Secretary of State (1861-1862), served on the Confederate Senate in Virginia (1862-1865). he was briefly imprisoned at the end of the Civil War and went on to be elected the Virginia State Treasurer (1874-1880).