John McCormick Lea

John McCormick Lea (December 25, 1818 – September 21, 1903) was an American Whig politician. He served as the Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee from 1849 to 1850.

Early life Lea was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 25, 1818. He graduated from the University of Nashville. From 1849 to 1850, he served as Mayor of Nashville. He was part of the commission to surrender Nashville to the Union Army in February 1862. From 1888 to 1903, he served as president of the Tennessee Historical Society.

Personal life and death Lea married Elizabeth Overton in 1843. They had three sons, Overton, Robert B. and Luke Lea. He attended the First Presbyterian Church. He died in Monteagle, Tennessee on September 21, 1903, and he is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.