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William Alexander Purviance

1788 – 1857

American politician

Politician
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About William Alexander Purviance

Lived 1788 – 1857 (aged 68–69). William Alexander Purviance was an American politician.

William Alexander Purviance (22 June 1788 – 1 April 1857) was an American surveyor and politician.

Purviance was born on 22 June 1788 in Claysville, Pennsylvania to parents John Purviance and Elizabeth Thompson. He later moved to Butler County, Pennsylvania, and into Petersville, Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania, in 1810. Purviance acquired the farm and mill operation of William Campbell. Purviance was a surveyor for 49 years, and spent three of those years working for Butler County. Between 1835 and 1839, he served on the Pennsylvania Senate for District 19 while affiliated with the Anti-Masonic Party. Purviance died on 1 April 1857.

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Important facts

Born
1788
Birth century
18th century
Died
1857
Occupation
Politician
Nationality
United States
Positions held
Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate

People in William Alexander Purviance's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Portrait of William Alexander
William Alexander
1767 – 1816
Painter
 Portrait of William Campbell
William Campbell
1758 – 1834
Politician
 Portrait of Elizabeth Thompson
Elizabeth Thompson
1846 – 1933
Painter

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Alexander Purviance's

Portrait of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu
Antoine Laurent de Jussieu
1748 – 1836
Botanist
 Portrait of John Playfair
John Playfair
1748 – 1819
Mathematician
 Portrait of Daniel Rutherford
Daniel Rutherford
1749 – 1819
Botanist
 Portrait of Pierre-Simon Laplace
Pierre-Simon Laplace
1749 – 1827
Mathematician
 Portrait of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach
1752 – 1840
Anatomist
 Portrait of Antoine François, comte de Fourcroy
Antoine François, comte de Fourcroy
1755 – 1809
Chemist

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Alexander Purviance?

American politician (1788–1857)

When was William Alexander Purviance born?

William Alexander Purviance was born in 1788.

When did William Alexander Purviance die?

William Alexander Purviance died in 1857.

What was William Alexander Purviance's occupation?

William Alexander Purviance was a politician.

What nationality was William Alexander Purviance?

William Alexander Purviance was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Alexander Purviance

· Wikidata: Q111835486

· DBpedia: William Alexander Purviance

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Alexander Purviance. https://biography.guide/william-alexander-purviance/

MLA: "William Alexander Purviance." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-alexander-purviance/.

Chicago: "William Alexander Purviance." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-alexander-purviance/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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