TYSON, Job Roberts, lawyer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 February, 1803; died at Woodlawn Hall, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 27 June, 1858. Entering business at an early age, he devoted his leisure to self-education, became a proficient linguist, and taught in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, and afterward in the first public school of the state, which was established in 1822. At this period he was director of the public schools of Pennsylvania, a member of the prison society, manager of the apprentice's library, and among the first to organize the temperance movement in Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar in 1827, and became solicitor for the Pennsylvania railroad, the completion of which had been secured mainly through his efforts. He was a member of the city council and of the legislature, and was elected to congress as a Whig, serving from 3 December, 1855, till 3 March, 1857. Dickinson gave him the degree of LL.D. in 1851. Mr. Tyson was instrumental in the publication of the archives of Pennsylvania. He was vice-president of the Historical society of Pennsylvania, and vice-provost of the Philadelphia law academy. He was the author of an "Essay on the Penal Laws of Pennsylvania" (Philadelphia, 1827) ; "The Lottery System of the United States" (1833) ; " Social and Intellectual State of the Colony of Pennsylvania Prior to 1743" (1843) ; " Discourse on the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of William Penn" (1844) ; "Letters on the Resources and Commerce of Philadelphia" (1852) ; and a "Report on the Arctic Explorations of Dr. Elisha K. Kane." with a resolution to provide for the publication of Dr. Kane's book by congress, which was adopted by the house. His reports on the Delaware breakwater, and suggestions for improvement of the navigation of that river, exhibit a clear comprehension of the commercial interests of his state and city. He had collected material for a history of Pennsylvania.