James Wickersham (1857–1939) was an American judge and politician who served as a federal judge in Alaska from 1900 to 1908 and as Alaska’s delegate to the U.S. Congress for most of the years from 1909 to 1933. He helped pass the Organic Act of 1912 that made Alaska a territory, introduced the first Alaska statehood bill in 1916 and championed the Alaska Railroad, Mount McKinley National Park and the school that became the University of Alaska [1].
| Born | August 24, 1857, near Patoka, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Died | October 24, 1939, Juneau |
| Federal judge | 1900–1908 (Third Judicial District of Alaska) |
| Delegate to Congress | 1909–1917, 1919, 1921, 1931–1933 |
| Organic Act | 1912 |
| First statehood bill | 1916 |
Judge in Alaska
President William McKinley appointed Wickersham to the Third Judicial District of Alaska in 1900. He resigned in 1908 [1].
Delegate to Congress
He served as delegate from 1909 to 1917, briefly in 1919 and 1921, and from 1931 to 1933. He lost his 1916 seat but won a contest to serve its final two months, and he won a 1918 election contest in 1919 but served only four days [1].
The Organic Act of 1912
Wickersham helped pass the act that gave Alaska territorial status, with a territorial legislature [1][2]. See the entry on the Territory of Alaska.
Railroad, Park and University
He introduced the bill for a federal railroad in Alaska, which passed the Senate in January 1912 after his five-hour speech, and legislation to establish Mount McKinley National Park, now part of Denali National Park and Preserve. He also helped create the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, later the University of Alaska, and received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the university in 1935 [1]. See the entries on the Alaska Railroad and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Statehood Advocacy
Wickersham introduced the first Alaska statehood bill in Congress in 1916 [1][2]. Statehood did not come until 1959. See the entry on the Alaska statehood movement.
Denali and Legacy
He led an 1903 attempt to climb Denali, and its north face is called Wickersham’s Wall. A residence hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Wickersham Street in Fairbanks, Wickersham Dome and Mount Wickersham (named 1960) honor him. He died in Juneau on October 24, 1939, aged 82 [1].
FAQs
Who was James Wickersham? A federal judge and long-serving delegate who helped shape territorial Alaska.
What did he do for Alaska? He helped pass the 1912 Organic Act and pushed for the railroad, a national park and a college.
When did he introduce the first statehood bill? In 1916.
What is Wickersham’s Wall? The north face of Denali, named for him after his 1903 climbing attempt.
Where did he die? In Juneau, in 1939.
Sources
More in History
Key facts
Quick checkIn what year did Wickersham introduce the first Alaska statehood bill?Show answer
1916
Sources
- Wikipedia. James Wickersham. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- EBSCO Research Starters. Alaska statehood. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue