Henry Marie Brackenridge (May 11, 1786 – January 18, 1871) was an American writer, lawyer, judge, superintendent,[1] and U.S.

In 1811, he became the first recorded tourist to present-day South Dakota, hosted by fur trader Manuel Lisa.

[4] In 1821, Brackenridge entered the diplomatic service of General Andrew Jackson, who was the new commissioner of Florida.

[5] He returned to Pennsylvania in 1832 and became owner of a large tract of land upon which he founded the town of Tarentum near the Allegheny River, where Brackenridge honours his legacy.

He was elected as a Whig to the 26th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Richard Biddle, and served from October 13, 184Ø–March 3, 1841.