Richard Southgate

Richard Southgate (January 23, 1774 - July 24, 1857) was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly during the early 19th century. A prominent citizen and landowner in Campbell County, the city of Southgate is named after him.

Early life and education Richard Southgate was born on January 23, 1774, in New York City to Wright and Mary (Lush) Southgate. He received his early education in Virginia, and received a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary before reading law in Albany, New York under his uncle Stephen Lush.

Career In 1792, he acquired land in Newport, Kentucky, and moved there in 1795, quickly becoming a prominent attorney and citizen.

Southgate also came to be one of the wealthiest men in the state, owning and leasing out vast amounts of property in Kentucky and Ohio as well as operating businesses such as a dry goods store and a well known health resort.

In 1814, he used British prisoners from the War of 1812 held at the Newport Barracks to construct a home which would come to be known as the Southgate-Parker-Maddux House. After his death, his estate was valued at $1.5 million ($57.5 million in 2026).