Civil War Union Army Officer. He was the son of Senator William Wright and Minerva (Peet) Wright of New Jersey. He was a graduate of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, class of 1844 and continued his education at the Harvard Law School and was admitted to the bar in his native state. He was appointed secretary of the United States legation at St. Petersburg, Russia by President Taylor of which he served four years. He then enlisted in the Civil War and was appointed major of the 6th US Army Cavalry and upon the retirement of General Scott, was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General George B. McClellan with the rank of colonel. He was recommended for two brevets for gallant and meritorious service. He was also president of the board of managers of the New Jersey Home of Disabled Soldiers. He was married to Dorathea Mason, daughter of Stevens Thomson Mason, the first governor of the state of Michigan and the founder of the University of Michigan.