Peter Burnett - Who is Peter?

PETER BURNETT Elementary School - 5403 W. 138th St., Hawthorne, CA - 310-725-2151

	Peter Burnett (November 15, 1807 - May 17, 1895) was the first state Governor of California, serving from December 20, 1849 to January 9, 1851, when he resigned from office. Peter initially served as the territorial civilian governor in 1849, during the period of the drafting of the basis of the California constitution. He was the first democratically elected governor, following a string of military governors. California was officially admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850. Peter Hardeman Burnett was born in Nashville, Tennessee, but was raised in Missouri. He studied the law, and worked as a waiter, shop keeper, farmer, lawyer, and judge. Peter assisted in the drafting of the Oregon constitution and was a member of their legislature. He came to California in 1848, after the discovery of gold in Coloma, to participate in the gold rush. In his post Governor days, he served as Supreme Court Justice and was president of the Pacific Bank in San Francisco. He and his wife, Harriet W. Rogers had six children.
	Click here for a photo of the State Capitol portrait of Peter Burnett.