Westmoreland Davis

Westmoreland Davis (1921)

Westmoreland "Morley" Davis (born August 21, 1859 on board a ship on the way from Liverpool to Boston , † September 2, 1942 in Baltimore , Maryland ) was an American politician and from 1918 to 1922 governor of the state of Virginia .

Early years

Westmoreland Davis attended the Virginia Military Institute until 1877 and then studied law at Columbia University . After being admitted to the bar in 1886, he practiced as a successful lawyer in New York . He also worked as a legal advisor for several insurance companies. During his 15 years in New York, Davis became a wealthy man.

Political rise

In 1901 he finished his law career in New York and moved to Virginia. There he bought a farm on which he also tried out experimental forms of agriculture. His experience was instrumental in improving Virginia farming practices. Between 1908 and 1915 he was President of the Virginia State Farmer's Institute . In 1912 he acquired the Southern Planter newspaper, one of the most successful agricultural newspapers in the southern states . Davis used this sheet to present his research results and to ask for more financial help for the farmers. Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party . In 1916 he moved to the Virginia House of Representatives . A year later, he was elected governor of his state as his party's candidate.

Governor of Virginia

Westmoreland Davis took office on February 1, 1918. At this point the First World War was still in full swing. After the end of the war in November 1918, production in Virginia had to be reduced to meet civilian needs. The returning soldiers had to be reintegrated into society, and the invalids and the bereaved of the dead had to be cared for. Alongside these war-related processes, the governor introduced a new budget system that was then adopted by eight other states. The prison system was reformed and a prohibition law was passed. In addition, a commission was set up to deal with the drafting of a law on compensation for victims of industrial accidents. Education and farming budgets were also increased under Governor Davis. In 1920 Davis was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention .

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Davis was again President of the Farmers Institute between 1923 and 1924 and from 1941 to 1942 . He was also a member of the Board of Visitors for the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was also president of the Virginia State Fair Association . Westmoreland Davis died in 1942. He was married to Marguerite Inman, who founded the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation in 1955 . In 1967 his experimental farm "Morven Parks" was opened to the public. Today the property is home to several museums.

literature

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

Web links

• Westmoreland Davis at the National Governors Association (English)
• Westmoreland Davis in the database of Find a Grave (English)