Edward Bishop Dudley

Edward Bishop Dudley (born December 15, 1789 in Jacksonville , North Carolina , † October 30, 1855 in Wilmington , North Carolina) was an American politician and the 28th governor of the state of North Carolina.

Early years and political advancement

Edward Dudley attended Onslow Academy . He first appeared in public in 1811 when he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives . A brief military episode followed during the War of 1812 when he commanded a volunteer unit from Onslow County . He made it up to the lieutenant colonel. After a year in the North Carolina Senate (1814) he was re-elected to the House of Representatives, where he remained until 1817. Between 1829 and 1831 he was a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives . He later changed sides and became a member of the Whigs . From 1834 to 1835 he was again in the House of Representatives of his state. During those years he was one of the founding members of the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad and became its president.

North Carolina Governor

In 1836 North Carolina held its first general gubernatorial election. By then, the House of Representatives had chosen the governors. This first public election was won by Edward Dudley against incumbent Richard Spaight . Two years later he was re-elected, so that he could complete a four-year term in total. He took office on December 31, 1836 and held it until January 1, 1841. As governor, he campaigned for the expansion of the state's infrastructure; He promoted the railroad, but also the expansion of the road network. He advocated a unified state bank through which the country should conduct its financial transactions. A reform of the criminal law and the education system followed. To address the chronic shortage of teachers in North Carolina, a special school was established to train and promote teachers.

Further life

After retiring from the office of governor, he was again president of the railway company. He held this office until 1846. Then he withdrew from politics. Edward Dudley died in 1855. He was married to Eliza Haywood and the couple had six children.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Dudley, Edward Bishop
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	December 15, 1789
PLACE OF BIRTH	Jacksonville , North Carolina
DATE OF DEATH	October 30, 1855
Place of death	Wilmington , North Carolina