Ramsey was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on June 12, 1810. He attended Dickinson College before being sent to Europe in 1829 to complete his studies, serving as attaché of the American Legation in London. Ramsey was sent to France in July 1830 before returning to the United States in 1831, where he studied under his own father in Carlisle.[3]
Although Ramsey was re-elected to the 27th United States Congress, he took his own life at the age of 30 at a hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on October 17, 1840. He was interred in Ashland Cemetery, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.[4] Democrat Charles McClure was elected to serve out the remainder of Ramsey's term.