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James Whitcomb (December 1, 1795–October 4, 1852) was a Democrat governor of Indiana from December 6, 1843 to December 26, 1848. He was born in Windsor County, Vermont and moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1824. It was under his governorship that the Indiana Hospital for the Insane, the Indiana Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the Indiana Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, were founded.
Prior to serving as governor, Whitcomb served as prosecuting attorney for Monroe County, Indiana (1826-1829); a member of the Indiana Senate (1830-1831 and 1832-1836); and Commissioner of the General Land Office (1836-1841, appointed by President Andrew Jackson). Upon resigning from the Land Office in 1841, Whitcomb moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he eventually launched his campaign as the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. After serving as governor, he became a member of the United States Senate (1849-1852). He died in 1852 in New York City.
James Whitcomb Riley was named after him.
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