Mirabeau B. Lamar (1798-1859)

Born in Georgia in 1798, Mirabeau B. Lamar excelled in his youth as a horseman, writer of verse, and painter in oils.

He came to Texas in 1835. After a quick trip back to Georgia to settle his affairs, he returned to Texas in the midst of the revolution and enlisted as a private in the Texas army. He served with distinction and in the span of a few short months, rose in the ranks from private to major general.


After Texas independence, Lamar was elected vice-president, in Houston’s administration, of the Republic of Texas. He then ran and became the second president of the republic.

Lamar served as a lieutenant colonel in the Mexican-American War and fought in the Battle of Monterrey. He then returned to Texas and represented Nueces and San Patricio counties in the second state legislature.

Lamar died of a heart attack on 9 December 1859 on his plantation near Richmond.

About Lyman

Lyman Hardeman has held a deep interest in Texas history. He spent his youth in College Station, Texas and received a degree in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M in 1966. In 1995, Lyman created Lone Star Junction, a popular Texas history website that later merged with TexasProud.com. Lyman is a life member of the Texas State Historical Association and the author of Texas A&M The First 25 Years.