Born in Washington County, Virginia, DAVID CAMPBELL joined the Virginia Militia at the age of fifteen, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain. He went on to serve as Deputy Clerk of Washington County, Virginia from 1802 to 1812. He performed military service again during the War of 1812 but resigned because of ill health and was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Governor James Barbour. He returned briefly to military service, this time as Brigadier General of the Third Brigade of Virginia and Colonel of the Third Virginia Cavalry. He then served as Clerk of Washington County, as a member of the Virginia State Senate from 1820 to 1824, and again as Washington County Clerk again until he became governor in 1837. His administration was marked by the passage of laws for the relief of banks and debtors in Virginia. After leaving office, Campbell became Justice of the Peace of Washington County.