Albert Ritchie | |
---|---|
49th Governor of Maryland | |
In office January 14, 1920 – January 9, 1935 |
|
Preceded by | Emerson C. Harrington |
Succeeded by | Harry W. Nice |
Attorney General of Maryland | |
In office December 20, 1915 – December 20, 1919 |
|
Preceded by | Edgar Allan Poe |
Succeeded by | Ogle Marbury |
Personal details | |
Born |
Albert Cabell Ritchie August 29, 1876 Richmond, Virginia |
Died | February 24, 1936 Baltimore, Maryland |
(aged 59)
Resting place | Baltimore, Maryland |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Catherine Baker (1907-1916) (divorced) |
Children | none |
Residence | Baltimore, Maryland |
Religion | Episcopal |
Albert Cabell Ritchie (August 29, 1876 – February 24, 1936) was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, he was the 49th Governor of Maryland from 1920 to 1935. Ritchie was a conservative who campaigned for, but did not win, the presidential nomination in both 1924 and 1932. As of 2013, Ritchie is the state's longest-serving governor with almost 15 years of service (14 years, 11 months,& 27 days) and a record of four terms. Ritchie has the eighth longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at 5,474 days.
Albert Ritchie was born on August 29, 1876 in Richmond, Virginia to relatively distinguished parents. His father, Albert, had served as a member of the Maryland Constitutional Convention in 1867, as a Professor of Law at the University of Maryland, as City Solicitor of Baltimore, Maryland, and as a judge. His mother, Elizabeth Caskie Cabell, was descended from a Governor of Virginia and from Joseph Cabell, a close associate of Thomas Jefferson.
Ritchie moved to Baltimore with his family shortly after his birth and received his early education from private schools - including the Carey School for Boys which later became known as the Boys' Latin School. He received a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1896, and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1898. He entered into practice with the firm of Steele, Semmes, Carey and Bond in 1900, and in 1903 was appointed Assistant City Solicitor of Baltimore. The same year, he formed his own law practice with Stuart S. Janney. Ritchie continued to serve as Solicitor until 1910, and continued to practise law with Janney until 1919. In 1907, Ritchie was appointed as a professor of law at the University of Maryland School of Law.