Alexis I. du Pont Bayard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alexis I. du Pont Bayard | |
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| January 20, 1949 – January 15, 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Elbert N. Carvel |
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| Succeeded by | John W. Rollins |
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| Born | February 11, 1918 Wilmington, Delaware |
| Died | September 03, 1985 (aged 67) Wilmington, Delaware |
| Residence | Rockland, near Greenville, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jane Brady Hildreth |
| Profession | lawyer |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Alexis Irénée du Pont "Lex" Bayard (February 11, 1918 – September 3, 1985) was an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, near Greenville, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.
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[edit] Early Life and Family
- See also: Bayard family
- See also: du Pont family
Bayard was born February 11, 1918 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. and Elizabeth Bradford du Pont Bayard. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Alexis Irénée du Pont. He married Jane Brady Hildreth on April 24, 1944, and they had three children; Alexis du Pont, Jr. Eugene Hildreth, and Richard Henry. During World War II, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Bayard had studied the law, and upon returning, began a practice in Wilmington, Delaware
Bayard was the scion of two prominent Delaware families. On his father’s side, Alexis came from the politically powerful Bayard family. The Bayard’s had long been bulwarks of Delaware’s Democratic Party, with each of the previous five generations of the Bayard family having represented Delaware in the United States Senate.
Alexis’s mother, Elizabeth Bradford du Pont, was the daughter of Alexis Irénée du Pont, Jr., granddaughter of Alexis Irénée du Pont, and great-grand daughter of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, the gunpowder and chemicals company that grew to dominate northern Delaware in the early twentieth century. By this time the du Pont’s were a large and enormously wealthy family, many of whom were involved in the political life of Delaware.
[edit] Career
A war veteran with a well-known name, the 30 year old Bayard was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1948, defeating Republican Chester V. Townsend, Jr. of Dagsboro, who was Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. He became Delaware’s 13th Lieutenant Governor and served from January 20, 1949 until January 15, 1953. That year, Bayard also served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
Bayard lost a bid for a seat in the United States Senate in 1952 to the incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John J. Williams. Bayard’s inexperience and aristocratic roots compared unfavorably to William’s rags-to-riches rise from chicken farmer to national figure and his reputation for honesty, integrity, fairness, and bipartisanship in the Senate. These factors, along with the popularity of the Republican's U.S. Presidential candidate, Dwight D. Eisenhower, led the incumbent to a ten point victory over Bayard at the polls.
After his defeat by Williams, Bayard resumed his law practice and remained an active supporter of the Democratic Party.
[edit] Death and Legacy
Bayard died September 3, 1985 in Wilmington, Delaware. He is buried at the Old Swedes (Trinity) Episcopal Church in Wilmington alongside his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Old Swedes Church is the oldest church building in the United States still standing as originally built.
Bayard was the last member of his line to be elected to public office, thus ending a six generation tradition. However, his son, Richard H. Bayard, served as Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. After his death, the Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Award was created for distinguished service to the party.
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. The Lieutenant Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
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| Lt. Governor | Executive | Dover | 1948 | January 20, 1949 | January 15, 1953 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Lt. Governor | Alexis I. du Pont Bayard | Democratic | 74,605 | 53% | Chester V. Townsend, Jr. | Republican | 65,545 | 47% | ||
| 1952 | U.S. Senator | Alexis I. du Pont Bayard | Democratic | 77,685 | 45% | John J. Williams | Republican | 93,020 | 55% |
[edit] References
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2000). Honest John Williams. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press.
- Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Grapevine Publishing.
[edit] External links
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [4] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [5] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
