Alexander Randall

Alexander Randall (January 3, 1803 – November 21, 1881) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland, and served as Attorney General of Maryland from 1864 to 1868. He was the thirteenth child of his parents, John and Deborah Knapp Randall. His father was a Revolutionary War veteran, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia and later was Collector of the Port of Annapolis and was elected three times as Mayor of Annapolis between 1813 and 1818.

Education As a child, Randall attended schoolrooms taught by Miss Sally Ross, Thomas Bassford and Mr. Curran. He graduated with first honor in his class from St. John's College in Annapolis in 1822, teaching during his junior and senior years.

Career After graduation, Randall thought of teaching but his father quashed the idea, directing him instead to the legal profession. Randall studied law for two years in the law offices of Addison Ridout and was admitted to the bar in 1824, the same year that Lafayette visited Annapolis. Two years later, when his father died, Randall took his place as Collector of the Port of Annapolis until about 1830. At the same time, he was made a Trustee of St. John's College and affairs of the College remained a lifelong passion for him.

Randall's nephew and namesake, Alexander Burton Hagner, joined Randall in his law office in 1845 and the two formed a law practice under the name of Randall and Hagner; the partnership lasted for 34 years. In 1868, Randall's son John Wirt Randall joined the firm.

During the Civil War, Randall was firm in his opposition to secession and maintained unwavering loyalty to the Union. Many of his friends and family, however, found themselves needing his help when they were threatened with arrest or forfeiture of property.

Randall was a devout member and vestryman of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis and a member of the Diocese.

He died at his home on November 21, 1881, at age 78 and is buried at St. Anne's Cemetery in Annapolis. Daniel Richard Randall, born December 25, 1864 Wyatt William Randall, born January 10, 1867 Adeline Blanchard Randall, born February 13, 1869