G. Alvin Massenburg | |
---|---|
48th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
In office January 6, 1947 – January 11, 1950 |
|
Preceded by | Thomas B. Stanley |
Succeeded by | E. Blackburn Moore |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Elizabeth City and Hampton | |
In office January 13, 1926 – January 11, 1950 |
|
Preceded by | Harry R. Houston |
Succeeded by | Victor P. Wilson |
Personal details | |
Born |
George Alvin Massenburg September 19, 1894 Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
Died | November 25, 1968 Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
(aged 74)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Carrie Wood |
Occupation | Maritime pilot |
Religion | Methodist |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Coast Guard |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | U.S. Coast Guard Reserve |
Battles/wars | World War II |
George Alvin Massenburg (September 19, 1894 – November 25, 1968) was an American politician. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1926–50 and was its Speaker 1947–50.
Massenburg was born in Hampton, Virginia to Virginius and Virginia Massenburg. He left high school after two years for an electrical engineering apprenticeship. He became a maritime pilot in the area of Hampton Roads and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, eventually becoming president of the Virginia Pilot Association. He held a commission in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, rising to the rank of captain during World War II.
He married Carrie Wood of Hampton October 19, 1918.
Massenburg first entered the House of Delegates in 1926. He became Democratic floor leader from 1936, succeeding Ashton Dovell when he became speaker, and served until becoming speaker himself. By 1940 he had become chair of the Privileges and Elections committee. He succeeded Thomas B. Stanley as Speaker in 1947, after Stanley's election to the United States House of Representatives. He retired from the House in 1950.
From 1948–52 Massenburg was chair of the State Democratic Committee. He was a delegate to the 1948 and 1952 Democratic National Conventions. In 1956 he was an unsuccessful candidate for presidential elector in support of Adlai Stevenson and Estes Kefauver.