Learned was born in Killingly in the Connecticut Colony, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Learned and Keziah (Leavens) Learned. He was prepared for college by a private tutor and graduated from Yale College in 1772. Learned taught in the Union School in New London.[1] He studied theology, received a license from the Windham Association in October 1773, and preached for a short time before entering politics.[2]
While living in Killingly, Learned began the study of law in 1778. He was elected a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1779.[3] After moving to New London, he served again in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1785 to 1791. He was a member of the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1788.[4]
Learned was elected to the upper house of assistants in 1791,[5] and simultaneously served as a judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1791 to 1792.[6] He was elected as a Pro-Administration candidate to the Second and Third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1791, to March 3, 1795.[7] He engaged in land speculations while serving in Congress.
After serving in Congress, he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1818.[8]
Death
Learned died in New London on May 4, 1825, and is interred in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.[8]
Personal life
Learned married Grace Hallam in 1773.[9] They had four children, Nicholas H. Learned, Frances Learned Chew, Ebenezer Learned and Edward Learned.[10][11][12][13]
Learned's grandson, John Law, served as United States Representative from Indiana.[14]