James M. Thomson (Virginia)

James McIlhany Thomson (August 9, 1924 – July 24, 2001) was a member Virginia House of Delegates representing Alexandria, Virginia from 1956 – 1977. He was Democratic Floor Leader of the House from 1968 until his retirement in 1977.

Early life and education

James M. Thomson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 9, 1924. He was named after his uncle James M. Thomson, the renowned editor of the New Orleans States-Item. Thomson attended St. James Episcopal School, in Maryland. He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II and graduated in 1946 from the Virginia Military Institute and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1950.^[1]

Political career

Thomson was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1955 and served until 1977. From 1968 until 1977, he was the Democratic Floor Leader of the House. Nicknamed "Landslide Jim" for a number of very close elections. He lost his House seat in the 1977 election by a one-term republican and went on to be appointed Commissioner of Insurance for Virginia.

Death

Thomson died on July 24, 2001 in Berryville, Virginia and was buried in the Thomson family plot at the Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town, WV with his parents and brothers and two aunts. A sister, Gretchen Thomson Byrd, married to Harry F. Byrd, Jr. of Virginia, is buried in the Byrd family plot in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, VA.

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