Charles Dominique Joseph Bouligny

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana (New Spain), on August 22, 1773, to a family of French descent. His mother was Marie-Louise Le Sénéchal d'Auberville of New Orleans, who was of French Creole descent. He had three siblings. His father, Francisco Bouligny, was born and raised in Spain to a French father (a merchant) and a Spanish mother of French descent and became a high-ranking official in Spanish Louisiana.[1] Dominique's parents had him educated by private tutors.

As a young man, Bouligny served as ensign in Spain's Louisiana Regiment commanded by his father. The young man was elected at age 27 as a commissioner of the municipal council (the cabildo), in 1800. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Bouligny (and other colonial residents) assumed U. S. citizenship. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, practicing in New Orleans.

Entering politics, Bouligny was elected as a member of the Louisiana Territorial house of representatives in 1806. Next, he was appointed justice of the peace in New Orleans (1807). During the War of 1812, he served on the public defense committee during the British invasion of 1814-1815.

Bouligny was elected by the state legislature to the U.S. Senate (as was the custom at the time before popular election of US Senators), competing against Henry Johnson. Bouligny served in the Senate November 19, 1824, to March 4, 1829. He served as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee in the second session of the 20th Congress.

Dominique Bouligny died in New Orleans on March 4, 1833. His remains were interred in Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1.

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

• United States Congress. "Charles Dominique Joseph Bouligny (id: B000664)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Charles Dominique Joseph Bouligny at Find a Grave