Ralph Izard (January 23, 1741 or 1742–May 30, 1804) was a U.S. politician. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794.

Izard was born at "The Elms" near Charleston, South Carolina. He pursued classical studies in England and returned to America briefly in 1764, but went abroad, residing in London in 1771, He moved to Paris, France, in 1776 and was appointed commissioner to the Court of Tuscany by the Continental Congress in 1776, but was recalled in 1779. He returned to America in 1780 and pledged his large estate in South Carolina for the payment of war ships to be used in the American Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783. In 1788, he was elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1795, serving as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Third Congress.

Izard was one of the founders of the College of Charleston. He retired from public life to the care of his estates and died near Charleston. He is interred in the churchyard of St. James Goose Creek Episcopal Church, near Charleston.

External link

• Ralph Izard - Biographical Directory of the United States Congress