William Preston Lane

William Preston Lane Jr. (born May 12, 1892 in Hagerstown , Maryland , † February 7, 1967 ibid) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1947 to 1951 governor of the state of Maryland.

Early years and political advancement

After elementary school, Lane studied law at the University of Virginia until 1915 . After being admitted to the bar, he practiced in his hometown of Hagerstown. During the First World War he rose to major in an infantry unit in the US Army. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery . After the end of the war, he continued his legal practice in Hagerstown. He also published two daily newspapers there.

In 1919, Lane unsuccessfully applied for the position of prosecutor. Between 1930 and 1934 he was Attorney General of Maryland. When in this capacity he was charged with lynching in the eastern part of the state, he temporarily lost the political support of the residents of that area. In 1936 he was one of the electors who voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt to be re-elected as US President. Between 1940 and 1950 he was a member of the Democratic National Committee . On November 5, 1946, he was elected the new governor of his state with 54% of the vote against Theodore McKeldin , who came to 45%.

Governor of maryland

Lane took up his new office on January 3, 1947. His term of office thus began five days ahead of the constitutional date. This move became necessary because his predecessor Herbert O'Conor resigned that day to move to the US Senate . During Lane's tenure, the school system was improved and some government buildings were renovated. The sessions of the legislature now took place annually and not only every two years as before. The health system was also better equipped through a tax increase. In addition, the roads were expanded and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge , which is now named after him, was planned. The structure itself was not completed until 1952, after Lane's tenure.

The tax increases necessary for these projects were unpopular with the people. This resulted in his defeat in the gubernatorial election of 1950. In these elections McKeldin ran again against him, who won this time with 57:42 percent of the vote. Therefore, Lane had to resign on January 10, 1951 from his office.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Lane devoted himself to his personal and business interests. He was on the board of directors of several companies and continued his legal practice until his unexpected death in 1967. William Lane had two daughters with his wife Dorothy Byron.

Web links

• William Lane at the National Governors Association (English)
• William Preston Lane in the database of Find a Grave (English)