Benjamin Glover Shields (January 9, 1811 – November 15, 1892)[1] was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama.
[2] His father was originally from Newcastle County, Delaware, but his maternal grandfather was a wealthy planter from Abbeville.
In 1845, he was commissioned by President James K. Polk as United States Chargé d'Affaires to Venezuela.
[5] Upon returning to the United States, he became an opponent of secession, ran unsuccessfully for Governor as a Union Democrat.
[8][9] He died at his home near Marlin, Texas on November 15, 1892,[1][10] as a result of a cold he caught while riding in the rain to cast his vote for president on behalf of Benjamin Harrison and for governor on behalf of Jim Hogg.