James Ross (Pennsylvania politician)

James Ross (1762-1847) was an American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania. He served as a United States Senator for Pennsylvania from 1794 to 1803.

Ross was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1762. He graduated from Dickinson College in 1782 and was admitted to the bar in 1784. He established a successful law practice in Washington, Pennsylvania.

In 1794, Ross was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Albert Gallatin. He was a Federalist and a strong supporter of President George Washington's policies. He served as President pro tempore of the Senate from 1799 to 1801.

During his time in the Senate, Ross was a vocal advocate for the interests of the western frontier, including securing navigation rights on the Mississippi River. He also played a key role in the negotiation of the Treaty of Greenville, which opened up large areas of Ohio to white settlement.

After leaving the Senate in 1803, Ross returned to his law practice. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1799, 1802, and 1808. He remained active in public life, serving as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1837-1838.

James Ross died in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1847. He is buried in the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh. He is remembered as a prominent lawyer, politician, and a leading figure in the early development of Pennsylvania.