The 1852 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1852. Democratic governor Augustus C. French did not seek re-election. Democrat Joel Aldrich Matteson was elected to succeed him.
General election
Candidates
D. A. Knowlton (Free Soil) Joel Aldrich Matteson, businessman and state senator from Joliet (Democratic) Edwin B. Webb (Whig)
Results
See also 1852 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election
References Illinois Blue Book 1899