Alexander Keith McClung

Alexander Keith McClung (14 June 1811-25 March 1855) briefly served as chargé d'affaires to Bolivia in Zachary Taylor's administration. Nicknamed "The Black Knight of the South," he was a duellist and poet. James H. Street used him as the model for the character Keith Alexander in his novel "Tap Roots" (1942).

McClung was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, and was the nephew of John Marshall. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 1st Mississippi Regiment during the Mexican War. He committed suicide in the Eagle Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi.

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=mcclung&GSfn=alexander&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=16219512& Alexander Keith McClung's grave at Find-a-Grave]