Henry L. Whitfield

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Henry Lewis Whitfield

41st Governor of Mississippi
In office January 22, 1924 – March 18, 1927
Lieutenant	Dennis Murphree
Preceded by	Lee M. Russell
Succeeded by	Dennis Murphree
Personal details
Born	(1868-06-20)June 20, 1868 near Brandon, Mississippi
Died	March 18, 1927(1927-03-18) (aged 58) Jackson, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary Damper White
Profession	Teacher
Religion	Baptist

Henry Lewis Whitfield (June 20, 1868 – March 18, 1927) was an American politician who was Governor of Mississippi from 1924 until his death.

Biography

Whitfield was born in Rankin County, Mississippi. He began his teaching career at the age of sixteen. Whitfield obtained his teaching degree in 1895 from the Mississippi College and was appointed to be state superintendent of education by Governor Anselm J. McLaurin in 1898. He was re-elected to the post in 1899 and 1903. Whitfield was appointed President of Industrial Institute and College in 1907. The college experienced growth under his leadership.

Whitfield was elected Governor in 1923, narrowly defeating Theodore G. Bilbo. This was also the first election in which women could vote for the governor.

As Governor, Whitfield recommended various progressive programs such as improving the mental health care system and improving the public schools.

In 1926, Whitfield fell ill. He went to Memphis, Tennessee for treatment and returned to Jackson, Mississippi. While he was able to conduct business, his condition became worse and he died in the Governor's Mansion. He is buried at the Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi.

External links

Profile at National Governors Association website

Political offices
Preceded by Lee M. Russell	Governor of Mississippi 1924-1927	Succeeded by Dennis Murphree

v t e Governors and Lieutenant Governors of Mississippi

Governors	Holmes Poindexter Leake Brandon Holmes Brandon Scott Lynch Runnels Quitman Lynch McNutt Tucker Brown Matthews Quitman Guion J. Whitfield Foote Pettus McRae McWillie Pettus Clark Sharkey Humphreys Ames Alcorn Powers Ames Stone Lowry Stone McLaurin Longino Vardaman Noel Brewer Bilbo Russell H. Whitfield Murphree Bilbo Conner White Johnson, Sr. Murphree Bailey Wright White Coleman Barnett Johnson, Jr. Williams Waller Finch Winter Allain Mabus Fordice Musgrove Barbour Bryant

Lieutenant Governors	Stewart Patton Dickson Brandon Scott Winston office abolished 1832–1870 Powers Davis Stone Sims Shands Evans Jones Harrison Carter Manship Bilbo Russell Casteel Murphree Adams Murphree Sinder Murphree Wright Lumpkin Gartin Johnson Gartin Sullivan Winter Gandy Dye Briggs Musgrove Tuck Bryant Reeves

Persondata
Name	Whitfield, Henry L.
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	June 20, 1868
Place of birth	near Brandon, Mississippi
Date of death	March 18, 1927
Place of death	Jackson, Mississippi

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