Thomas Green Clemson (July 1, 1807 – April 6, 1888) was an American politician and statesman, serving as Chargés d'Affaires to Belgium, and United States Superintendent of Agriculture.

His first ancestor in America was James Clemson I, who emigrated from Tettenhall, England, to the British American Colonies.

There is no knowledge as to exactly how long Thomas attended day school, but from 1823 to 1825, Clemson was educated at Alden Partridge's Military Academy in Vermont, also known as Norwich University.

[1] Clemson's older brother, who had recently graduated from Princeton, sent Thomas a letter outlining the courses and subjects that he should study.

Among the few surviving documents of his time in Paris is a letter that he wrote to his mother; it did not include anything about his scientific study, but did vaguely reference that he had a particular interest in expanding his knowledge.

Named "Canebrake" (for the vast dense and thick canes along the riverbank), the land had an estimated value of $24,000.

With knowledge of both French and German, Clemson served as U.S. Chargé d'affaires to Belgium from October 4, 1844 until January 8, 1852.

He received the position largely due to his father in-law John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of State under the Tyler Administration.

President Tyler had given the task of filling the position to Calhoun, who quickly nominated his son in-law Clemson.

[7] His South Carolina plot was not profitable while Clemson was abroad in Belgium, but he used the time to further his studies in the field of agriculture.

He translated from French the lengthy article "Extraction of Sugar from the Beet," written by Louis Melsens, a professor at the Royal Veterinary School of Cureghem.

Upon his return from Belgium, Clemson chose to live in Maryland, not too far from Washington, D.C., for access to utilities and resources for his research, studies, and experiments.

His studies in agricultural chemistry led to findings that were published in The American Farmer and other scientific journals.

His findings and distinction as a scientist led to his invitation to speak at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington in 1858.

His son, Captain John Calhoun Clemson, also enlisted in the Confederate States Army and spent two years in a Union prison camp on Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie, Ohio.

A statue of Thomas Green Clemson, as well as the Fort Hill house, are located on the campus.