Benjamin Stephenson (politician)

Benjamin Stephenson (July 8, 1769 – October 10, 1822) was a Congressional Delegate for the Illinois Territory from 1814 until 1817. He was born in Pennsylvania. He moved to Virginia in 1788, and then Kentucky, and then to the Illinois Territory. He became sheriff of Randolph County, Illinois in 1809.

Stephenson became a colonel in the Illinois militia, and commanded a regiment in the War of 1812. In 1813 he was appointed adjutant general of Illinois. A Democratic-Republican and ally of Governor Ninian Edwards, he served as the representative of the Illinois Territory in the United States Congress from 1814 to 1816. He was a representative to the convention that wrote the first constitution for the State of Illinois in 1818.

Stephenson built the Benjamin Stephenson House in Edwardsville, Illinois. This is one of the oldest houses still standing in the State.

Stephenson died on October 10, 1822, and is buried in Edwardsville. Stephenson County, Illinois was named for him.