John Sergeant Wise

John Sergeant Wise (December 27, 1846 – May 12, 1913) was an American author, lawyer, and politician in Virginia. He was the son of Henry Alexander Wise, a Governor of Virginia, and Sarah Sergeant.

John was born in Rio de Janeiro, where his father was U.S. Minister to Brazil. He attended Virginia Military Institute. During the American Civil War, he served with the VMI Corps of Cadets at the Battle of New Market. He was posted in charge guard of the Cadets' baggage train and in defying orders, took part in the Cadets' famous charge. After the battle, he was commissioned in the Confederate States Army.

After the war, he studied law at the University of Virginia, where he was initiated a Brother of Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 1867. That same year he graduated and was admitted to the bar.

Wise practiced law in Richmond, Virginia for many years. In 1880, he was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Representative. In May 1882, he was appointed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, serving until March 1883.

Later in 1882, Wise was elected U.S. Representative for Virginia's at-large seat as "Readjuster" – a label used by a coalition of Republicans and dissident Virginia Democrats. He served in the 48th United States Congress, from 1883 to 1885.

Before the 1884 elections, Virginia's districts were redrawn, abolishing the at-large seat. Wise did not seek re-election from a district. Instead, in 1885 he ran for Governor of Virginia as a Republican, but lost to Democrat Fitzhugh Lee.

Wise later moved to New York City, and practiced law there till his retirement. He died in 1913, near Princess Anne, Maryland, and was buried in Richmond.

John Wise wrote several books, most notably a memoir entitled The End of an Era, reprinted in numerous editions since its first publication. It describes his boyhood in the last days before the Civil War, on his father's plantation "Rolleston", with a childhood slave companion and friend, and the war years, and also his father's role in the war, and his family.

Principal literary works

• Diomed: The Life, Travels, and Observations of a Dog (1897)
• The End of an Era (1899)
• The Lion's Skin: a Historical Novel and a Novel History (1905)
• Recollections of Thirteen Presidents (1906)

On November 3, 1869, he married Evelyn Byrd Beverly Douglas, daughter of Hugh Douglas and Nancy Hamilton. John and Evelyn had nine children, seven sons and two daughters:

1. John Sergeant Wise
2. Hugh Douglas Wise
3. Henry Alexander Wise
4. John Sergeant Wise
5. Hamilton Wise
6. Eva Douglas Wise
7. Jennings Cropper Wise (recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross during the First World War and went on to become Commandant of Virginia Military Institute)
8. Margaretta Watnough Wise
9. Byrd Douglas Wise

New York State Senator Henry A. Wise (1906–1982) was his grandson.

Wise was portrayed by Luke Benward in the 2014 film Field of Lost Shoes, which depicted the Battle of New Market.