William Irwin (July 12, 1827 – March 15, 1886) was an American politician from the Democratic Party who served as the 13th governor of California between 1875 and 1880. He previously served as acting lieutenant governor for nine months in 1875.
Born in Butler County, Ohio, Irwin graduated in 1848 from Marietta College in Marietta, where he later became an instructor. After moving to California, Irwin worked in various private industries and in 1865 was a candidate for Siskiyou County Tax Collector but lost. He was eventually elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 28th district.
Irwin was the one who appointed young journalist Henry George to the office of State Inspector of Gas Meters in 1876, which lifted George and his family out of destitution and allowed him to write Progress and Poverty.
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File:William Irwin Grave.jpg|Irwin Gravesite
File:William Irwin, 1827-1886 LCCN2002723389.jpg|Engraving of Irwin in Harper's Weekly, 1875
File:William Irwin painting.jpg|Irwin's official gubernatorial portrait
File:William Irwin.png|Irwin later in life
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References
External links
- William Irwin at the California State Library