Charles L. Terry

Charles Layman Terry Jr. (born September 19, 1900 in Camden , Delaware , †  February 6, 1970 in Dover , Delaware) was an American lawyer and politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1965 to 1969 .

Early years

Charles Terry attended his home public schools and Wesley College . He then studied law until 1923 at Washington and Lee University . In 1924 he was admitted to the bar. Then he began to work in Dover in his new profession.

Political and legal advancement

Terry represented Kent County , among others, in the district's tax court. Between 1931 and 1932 he was an attorney for the Delaware Legislature ( General Assembly ). In 1937, he served as the state's executive officer for one year as Secretary of State . This was followed by 25 years in the legal service. Between 1938 and 1957 he was a judge at a higher court and from 1957 to 1962 he was presiding judge at that court. He was then appointed as a judge in the Delaware Supreme Court . From 1963 to 1964, as Chief Justice, he was its presiding judge.

Politically, Terry was a member of the Democratic Party . In 1964 he was elected as the new governor of his state with 51% of the vote against former Governor David P. Buckson , the Republican candidate .

Delaware Governor

Charles Terry took up his new office on January 19, 1965. His four-year tenure was overshadowed by significant events in and outside of Delaware. It was the time of the civil rights movement . There were also racial riots in Delaware. The unrest was particularly violent after the assassination of Martin Luther King in April 1968. To calm the situation, the governor had to send the National Guard to Wilmington . There were also protest movements against the Vietnam War .

Regardless of these events, the governor in Delaware ran judicial reforms. He also acquired the so-called "Woodburn House", which was to become the official residence of the governors of Delaware. The Technical and Community College was also established, with a branch in each district. Between 1966 and 1967 Terry was also a member of his state's Education Commission. In 1968 Terry ran for his re-election, which he missed with 49% against 51% of the vote against the Republican Russell W. Peterson . The reasons for his defeat were once the national trend in favor of the Republicans, who at the time also won the presidential elections with Richard Nixon . On the other hand, he had suffered a heart attack in October, after which doubts arose about his health. Finally, there were also some voters who criticized his behavior in connection with the still not entirely resolved unrest in the state.

After the end of his term on January 21, 1969, he withdrew from politics. He died just 13 months later in February 1970. Governor Terry had a son with his wife Jessica Irby.

Web links

• Charles Terry in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Delaware (English)
• Charles L. Terry in the database of Find a Grave (English)