Emerson Harrington

Emerson Harrington, 1919

Emerson Columbus Harrington (born March 26, 1864 in Dorchester County , Maryland , † December 15, 1945 in Cambridge , Maryland) was an American politician and governor of the state of Maryland from 1916 to 1920 .

Early years and political advancement

Harrington attended public schools in his home country and then, until 1886, St. John's College in Annapolis . Then he studied law. He earned the necessary money as a teacher. After his admission as a lawyer in 1898, he began to work in his new profession. Between 1899 and 1903 he was a prosecutor in Dorchester County. He then worked privately as a lawyer. In 1910 he became an Insurance Commissioner for the State of Maryland. Between 1912 and 1916 he was head of the Comptroller of the Treasury in that state. In 1915, despite some resistance within his party, he managed to be named the top candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial elections. On November 2, 1915 he was elected the new governor of his state.

Governor of maryland

Emerson Harrington took office on January 12, 1916. During his four-year tenure, a pardon committee was established and a ferry service between the eastern parts of the country and the city of Annapolis was established. At that time, an environmental committee ( Conservation Commission ) was established. Contrary to popular belief, Governor Harrington supported both demands for women's suffrage and a prohibition law . In the school system, the salaries of teachers were raised. The First World War falls during Harrington's tenure . The governor supported the federal government's war effort and established Maryland's own defense council. At that time a new military base was built, which was later named Fort George Meade .

Another résumé

Harrington's tenure ended on January 14, 1920. He then worked as a lawyer. In 1926 he unsuccessfully applied for the position of judge. Harrington then served as President of the People's Loan, Savings and Deposit Bank in Cambridge and the Annapolis-Clairborne Ferry Company . Emerson Harrington died in December 1945. He had three children with his wife Gertrude Johnson.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Emerson Harrington at the National Governors Association (English)
• Emerson Harrington in the database of Find a Grave (English)