Richard Yates (January 18, 1818 - November 27, 1873) was governor of Illinois during the American Civil War and has been considered the greatest war governor during that period. When the war began Gov. Yates sent more Illinois troops to aid the Union than any other state. He also represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives, 1851-1855 and as a U.S. Senator, 1865-1871.