Theodore S. Wilkinson (politician)

For the United States Navy admiral, see Theodore Stark Wilkinson.

Theodore Stark Wilkinson (December 18, 1847 – February 1, 1921) was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives representing the state of Louisiana. He served two terms as a Democrat. After leaving office, he was appointed collector of the U.S. Custom House at New Orleans by President Grover Cleveland.^[1]

Theodore Stark Wilkinson
Member of the United States House of Representatives
In office 1887–1891
Preceded by	Louis St. Martin
Succeeded by	Adolph Meyer
Constituency	Louisiana's 1st district
Personal details
Born	(1847-12-18)December 18, 1847 Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Died	February 1, 1921(1921-02-01) (aged 73) New Orleans, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Occupation	Plantation owner, politician

Wilkinson was born on the Point Celeste plantation in Plaquemines Parish. As an adult, he owned the largest sugar plantations in lower Plaquemines, with one encompassing nine miles of Mississippi River riverfront. He also ran unsuccessfully for governor of Louisiana in 1908. He died from heart failure in New Orleans on February 1, 1921.^[2]

His great-grandfather was James Wilkinson, the scandalous first governor of the Louisiana Territory who was later exposed as a paid spy for the Spanish Empire. He was also the uncle of another Theodore Stark Wilkinson who would become vice-admiral of the United States Navy during World War II.