Richard Biddle

Biddle was born on March 25, 1796, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the brother of financier Nicholas Biddle, nephew of Congressman Edward Biddle and uncle of Congressman Charles John Biddle. He received a classical education, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1811,^[1] and was admitted to the bar, practicing law in Pittsburgh.

He went to England in 1827, and remained three years, publishing while there a critical Review of Captain Basil Hall's Travels in North America. He also published A Memoir of Sebastian Cabot, with a Review of the History of Maritime Discovery (London, 1831).

Biddle was twice elected to Congress, as an Anti-Mason, serving from March 4, 1837, until his resignation on July 21, 1840.^[2]

Biddle died on July 6, 1847, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.