George Franklin Fort (June 30, 1809 – April 22, 1872) was a physician, judge, and Democratic Party politician who served as the 16th Governor of New Jersey from 1851 to 1854. Early life George Franklin Fort was born on June 30, 1809 near Pemberton, New Jersey. His father, Andrew Fort, was a wealthy farmer in New Hanover Township. After attending the Pemberton common schools, Fort graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1828. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Jacob Eghert in Pemberton and Dr. Charles Patterson in New Egypt. In 1830, he was married and opened his own practice in Imlaystown before returning to New Egypt and establishing a medical practice throughout Monmouth and Burlington counties, including the part of Monmouth that became Ocean County in 1850. Early political career 1844 constitutional convention Fort began his public career in 1844, when he was elected to the state constitutional convention as a Democratic delegate from Monmouth County. Monmouth, which was then a thoroughly Democratic county, was also the only county which refused to send a bipartisan ticket. The move resulted in Democratic control of the convention. During the proceedings, Fort supported universal suffrage, open eligibility for office, abolition of the freehold qualification for public office, and popular election of all state and county officials. State legislator (1845–1848) In the state elections of the same year, Fort was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, running well ahead of his ticket. During his one-year term, he served on the Assembly committee on the judiciary. In 1845, Fort was elevated to represent Monmouth in the Senate. He served again on the judiciary committee. He also served on committees for education and the investigation of the Plainfield Bank, and as one of three commissioners to value the riparian lands at Jersey City. In the Senate, Fort developed a reputation as a reformer by sponsoring a bill to ensure township support for public education and the Manufacturing Incorporation Law, which eliminated private acts of incorporation for specific industries. His term in office ended in 1848. Governor of New Jersey 1850 election In 1850, the influential Monmouth County Democrat newspaper advanced Fort's name as a contender for the Democratic nomination for Governor two months before the state convention. He won the nomination on the fifth ballot over John Summerill of Salem County, John Cassedy of Hudson County, and Henry A.