Willard Saulsbury, Jr.

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Willard Saulsbury, Jr.
Willard Saulsbury, Jr.

March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1919
Preceded by Harry A. Richardson
Succeeded by L. Heisler Ball

Born April 17, 1861
Georgetown, Delaware
Died February 20, 1927
Wilmington, Delaware
Residence Wilmington
Political party Democratic
Spouse May du Pont
Profession lawyer
Religion Episcopalian

Willard Saulsbury, Jr. (April 17, 1861February 20, 1927) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware.

He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware and President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate.

Contents

[edit] Early life and family

Saulsbury was born April 17, 1861 in Georgetown, Delaware, son of Willard Saulsbury, Sr., and nephew of Eli M. Saulsbury. He attended private schools and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Subsequently he studied law, was admitted to the Bar in 1882, and commenced practice in Wilmington, Delaware.

He was president of the New Castle Bar Association and chairman of the board of censors. He continued the practice of law in Wilmington and Washington, D.C. until his death.

[edit] Political career

Saulsbury was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1908 until 1920, and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator nearly every year, beginning in 1899.

Finally, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1913. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Congress. He was the President pro tempore of the Senate during the 64th and 65th Congress. In the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Congress he was Chairman of the Committee on Coast and Insular Survey, and in the 65th Congress he was also a member of the Committee on Pacific Inlands and Puerto Rico. In the second popular election of a U.S. Senator in Delaware in 1918, he lost to Republican L. Heisler Ball, a former U.S. Senator. In all, he served from March 4, 1913, until March 4, 1919, during the administration of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

After leaving the United States Senate, he was a member of the advisory committee of the Conference on Limitation of Armaments in Washington, D.C. in 1921 and 1922, and a member of the Pan American Conference in Santiago, Chile in 1923.

[edit] Death and legacy

Saulsbury died February 20, 1927 in Wilmington, Delaware and is buried at Christ Episcopal Church.


Preceded by
James Paul Clarke
U.S. Senate
(President pro tempore)

December 14, 1916March 4, 1919
Succeeded by
Albert B. Cummins

[edit] Public offices

Before 1913, the Delaware General Assembly elected the U.S. Senators for a term of six years and took office March 4th. Afterwards they were popularly elected.

Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington 1913 March 4, 1913 March 3, 1919 class 2

[edit] Election results

Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1918 U.S. Senator Willard Saulsbury, Jr. Democratic 20,113 48% L. Heisler Ball Republican 21,519 51%

[edit] References

  • Franseth, Gregory S; L. Rebecca Johnson Melvin & Shiela Pardee (2003). "The End of an Era in Delaware: The Practical Politics of Willard Saulsbury, Jr.". University Delaware Library Associates XI. 
  • Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5. 

[edit] Images

  • Biographical Directory of the U.S. [1]

[edit] External links

  • Biographical Directory of the U.S. [2]
  • Delaware’s Senators [3]
  • Find a Grave [4]
  • The Political Graveyard [5]

[edit] Places with more information

  • Historical Society of Delaware [6] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
  • University of Delaware Library [7] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965


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