Born in Essex Co., Va. in 1809, Hunter served as a member of the House of Representatives (1837-43, 1845-47); he was speaker between 1839-41.
Then from 1847 until 1861, he was in the Senate. In addition, he served as secretary of state of the Confederacy (1861-62), and was a member of the Confederate senate (1862-65). He died in 1887.