Martin D. Hardin

Martin D. Hardin
United States Senator from Kentucky
In office November 13, 1816 – March 4, 1817
Preceded by	William T. Barry
Succeeded by	John J. Crittenden
8th & 10th Secretary of State of Kentucky
In office March 13, 1813 – September 4, 1816
Governor	Isaac Shelby
Preceded by	Christopher Greenup
Succeeded by	Charles Stewart Todd
In office September 1, 1812 – December 15, 1812
Governor	Isaac Shelby
Preceded by	Fielding Whitlock
Succeeded by	Christopher Greenup
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office 1805-1806 1812 1818-1820
Personal details
Born	(1780-06-21)June 21, 1780 Monongahela River, Pennsylvania
Died	October 8, 1823(1823-10-08) (aged 43) Frankfort, Kentucky
Resting place	Frankfort Cemetery
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Elizabeth Logan
Relations	Son of John Hardin Cousin of Benjamin Hardin Cousin of Charles A. Wickliffe
Children	John J. Hardin
Alma mater	Transylvania Seminary
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Kentucky militia
Rank	Major
Unit	First Rifle Regiment, Kentucky Militia
Battles/wars	War of 1812

Martin D. Hardin (June 21, 1780 – October 8, 1823) was a politician and lawyer from Kentucky. Born in Pennsylvania, his family immigrated to Kentucky when he was still young. He studied law under George Nicholas and commenced practice at Richmond, Kentucky. His cousin, future U.S. Representative Benjamin Hardin, studied in his law office. He represented Madison County in the Kentucky House of Representatives for a single term.

Hardin later moved to Frankfort and was elected to the Kentucky House to represent Franklin County. Governor Isaac Shelby appointed him Secretary of State soon after his election. Concurrent with his service, he participated in the War of 1812, serving alongside future Kentucky Governor George Madison as majors in Colonel John Allen's militia unit. Following the expiration of his term as Secretary of State, Governor Gabriel Slaughter appointed Hardin to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by William T. Barry, who resigned. Hardin served the remainder of Barry's term – approximately one year – and did not seek re-election. In 1819, he was elected to the Kentucky House for a third time and was chosen Speaker of the House. He died October 8, 1823.

Hardin married the daughter of Kentucky pioneer Benjamin Logan, and their son, John J. Hardin, represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives before being killed at the Battle of Buena Vista. In his book Life of Lincoln, Ward Hill Lamon speculated that future President Abraham Lincoln may have been the illegitimate child of Hardin and Nancy Hanks, but the rumor was later debunked.