Breckinridge, John (1760-1806) Attorney General: John Breckinridge was born near Staunton, Virginia. In 17892, he became a member of the US Congress, and served as Attorney General of Kentucky from 1795 to 1797. He was a major figure in the reformation of the state's penal code. A strong supporter of Jefferson, he was appointed US Attorney General in 1805, and served for two years