He served as a Whig member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district from 1853 to 1855, as commissioner of Fairmount Park from the time of its founding, and as a member of the American Philosophical Society.
During his career, he served as a Whig senator for the 1st district of Pennsylvania from 1853 to 1855.  He also held the position of commissioner for Fairmount Park, which he began when it was established. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Society.