The postmaster of the United States House of Representatives was an employee of the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

from 1834 to 1992. Before the creation of the office of

postmaster A postmaster is the head of an individual post office, responsible for all postal activities in a specific post office. When a postmaster is responsible for an entire mail distribution organization (usually sponsored by a national government), ...

, mail duties were handled by workers in the office of the doorkeeper, who were paid additional compensation. The postmaster was made into a distinct and permanent

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

employee in 1832, and in 1834, William J. McCormick, a doorkeeper's office employee, was named as the first House postmaster. Four years later, the postmaster was also given responsibility for the

Capitol A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity. Specific capitols include: * United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. * Numerous ...

post office. The office of postmaster was abolished in 1992; House mail handling procedures were reassigned to other officers and private entities. A total of twenty-one postmasters served in the House. One postmaster, William S. King, served as a

U.S. representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

after his service as postmaster.

List of postmasters

Notes

Sources

Postmasters of the House
Office of the Clerk **''House Journal'', various editions; **'' Congressional Globe'', various editions; **''

Congressional Record The ''Congressional Record'' is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Publishing Office and issued when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record Inde ...

'', various editions;'' **''

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress The ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress'' (Bioguide) is a biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress and its predecessor, the Continental Congress. Also included are Delegates from ...

'' (2005); **'' Congressional Pictorial Directory'', various editions. **''

Official Congressional Directory The ''Official Congressional Directory'' (also known as ''Congressional Directory'') is the official directory of the United States Congress, prepared by the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) and published by the United States Government Print ...

'', various editions. {{authority control Employees of the United States House of Representatives