Westmoreland Davis
| Westmoreland Davis | |
|---|---|
Westmoreland Davis in 1921
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| 48th Governor of Virginia | |
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In office February 1, 1918 – February 1, 1922 |
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| Lieutenant | Benjamin Franklin Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Henry Carter Stuart |
| Succeeded by | Elbert Lee Trinkle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 21, 1859 Atlantic Ocean |
| Died | September 2, 1942 (aged 83) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Marguerite Inman |
| Alma mater | Virginia Military Institute, Columbia Law School |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician, planter |
Westmoreland "Morley" Davis (August 21, 1859 – September 2, 1942) was an American lawyer, farmer, and the 48th Governor of Virginia, serving from February 1, 1918 to February 1, 1922.
Davis was born to a wealthy and prominent family on August 21, 1859. He was born on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean. The Davis family lost much of its wealth during the American Civil War. Davis and his mother, Annie, left a widow, struggled financially after the war, but he was able to attend the Virginia Military Institute on a scholarship. He was the youngest Cadet to ever attend at the age of 14. After graduating in 1877, he taught for 2 years then went to work as a clerk for the railroad company. Later, he "completed a year of post-graduate study at the University of Virginia in 1883," and studied at Columbia Law School from 1884 until graduating in 1886. He joined an elite New York City law firm and became wealthy.
In 1903, Davis purchased Morven Park, in the heart of Virginia's horse country. He and his wife Marguerite were avid equestrians and he soon founded the Loudoun Hunt, becoming the Master of Foxhounds for the club. He also planned to take up farming, despite his lack of experience. Davis advocated reform in farming, especially the use of science to improve productivity and sanitation. In 1912, he bought the magazine Southern Planter, one of the most popular magazines in the South. He used his position to advocate his ideas on farming and for political aid to farmers.
Virginia elected Davis governor in 1917 on a "wet," or anti-Prohibition, platform. As governor, Davis sent increased funding to Virginia's colleges and universities. He also pressed for aid to farmers and funding for scientific farming research. In general, he reformed and modernized the Virginia government. While governor, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1920.
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