John Young Mason (1799-1859) of Hicksford, VA, received his BA from the University in 1816. A member of the US House of Representatives (1819-29, 1831-37) and a Federal judge in Virginia, he eventually became secretary of the navy (1844-45, 1846-49), US attorney general (1845-46), and a minister to France (1854-59). He returned to Chapel Hill at least twice, receiving an honorary LLD degree in 1845 and in 1847 accompanying President Polk to the commencement exercises.