John Young Mason served as U.S. attorney general from 1845 to 1846 under President James Polk. During his many years of public service, Mason served as a powerful legislator, cabinet member and diplomat. However, as attorney general Mason did little to distinguish himself from others who served when the office had little power or authority.

Mason was born on April 18, 1799, in Greensville County, Virginia. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1816 he studied law at Litchfield Law School in Connecticut. Mason returned to Virginia after graduation in 1819 and was immediately admitted to the Virginia bar. During his first three years of private law practice he moved twice and soon was more interested in Democratic Party politics than the law. Between 1823 and 1831 Mason served in the Virginia general assembly and the state senate, all the while cultivating national leaders in nearby Washington, D.C.

Mason made the jump...