THOMPSON, John Burton, senator, born near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, 14 December, 1810; died in Harrods-burg, 7 January, 1874. His ancestor came to Virginia from England as a captain in the royal navy. John was educated at private schools, studied law under his father, and succeeded to his extensive practice at Harrodsburg. He served as commonwealth's attorney, was chosen to the legislature in 1835 and 1836, and in 1840 was elected to congress as a Whig to fill a vacancy, serving from 7 December, 1840, till 3 March, 1843. He raised a company of cavalry for the Mexican war, but more than the necessary number of volunteers from his state offered themselves, and it was not accepted. He served again in congress in 1847-'51, and in the latter year, when Archibald Dixon was nominated by the Whigs for governor, Thompson, who had been a candidate for the office, was given second place on the ticket. Dixon was defeated, but Thompson was elected by a large majority, and in 1853 was sent to the United States senate, where he served a full term. In that body he was a member of the committees on private land-claims and pensions. Mr. Thompson was especially eminent as a jury lawyer, and was also a successful orator. His most noted political speech was that on the Cuban question. He was a man of broad culture, quiet and even reserved in manner. In polities he was a Clay Whig till the disruption of the party just before the civil war, when he became a Unionist.