Chancellor Harper was born on the island of Antigua, West Indies on January 17, 1790. He was a member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives from 1816–1817. Shortly there after, he became Chancellor of the State of Missouri from 1819–1823, and was a member of the Missouri State Constitutional Convention in 1821. Harper was also the reporter of the Supreme Court of South Carolina from 1823–1825; Appointed as a Jacksonian to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Gaillard, serving from March 8 to November 29, 1826; member, South Carolina State House of Representatives from 1827–1828, serving as speaker; Chancellor of the State of South Carolina from 1828–1830; Appointed Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeal from 1830–1835; Member of the South Carolina State Nullification Convention in 1832 and 1833; Chancellor of the State of South Carolina from 1835 until his death in Fairfield District, S.C., October 10, 1847.
Harper attended Mount Bethel Academy, Jefferson Monticello Seminary, and South Carolina College in 1808. His studies were concentrated on medicine and law. Harper was admitted to the bar in 1813.
Located in the Reading Room.