# Lewis Downing

_Cherokee leader_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/lewis-downing
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> Lewis Downing served as Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1867 to 1872. After the death of John Ross, he was elected to a full term as Principal Chief. Downing worked to heal divisions in the tribe following removal to the Indian Territory and the American Civil War. He was elected to a second term in 1871, but died in 1872. The Cherokee Council chose William P. Ross as his successor.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 1823 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6536494#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Tennessee ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6536494#P19))
- **Died:** 9 November 1872 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6536494#P570))
- **Positions held:** Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6536494#P39))

## Questions

**When was Lewis Downing born?**  
Lewis Downing was born on 1823 in Tennessee.

**What positions has Lewis Downing held?**  
Positions held by Lewis Downing include: Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Lewis Downing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Downing) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q6536494](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6536494) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Lewis Downing.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lewis_Downing.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Lewis Downing, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Lewis Downing.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Lewis Downing". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/lewis-downing. Retrieved 8 November 2026.