Junius Edgar West

Junius Edgar West
Portrait photograph of Junius Edgar West
22nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office February 1, 1922 – January 15, 1930
Governor	Elbert L. Trinkle Harry F. Byrd
Preceded by	Benjamin F. Buchanan
Succeeded by	James H. Price
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 30th district
In office January 10, 1912 – January 11, 1922
Preceded by	Edward E. Holland
Succeeded by	Cecil C. Vaughan, Jr.
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Nansemond County
In office January 12, 1910 – January 10, 1912
Preceded by	Robert W. Withers
Succeeded by	Richard L. Brewer, Jr.
Personal details
Born	July 12, 1866 Sussex County, Virginia
Died	January 1, 1947(1947-01-01) (aged 80) Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Businessman (insurance), politician

Junius Edgar West (July 12, 1866 – January 1, 1947) was a Virginia politician and businessman who was born in Sussex County, Virginia, on July 12, 1866, and whose long and distinguished career culminated in two terms as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

West was the fifth son of Henry Thomas West and Susan Cox West. He was educated in public and private schools in Sussex County and matriculated in the college preparatory course at the Suffolk Collegiate Institute in Suffolk, Virginia. He attended college at the University of North Carolina and studied law at both Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia.

Upon completion of his formal education he returned to Waverly, Virginia and became Superintendent of Sussex County Schools in 1889. As superintendent, West suggested innovations that would improve the system in Sussex; a nine-month school term, better qualified teachers with increased pay, better schoolhouses and furniture, and a reasonable compensation to trustees for their services.

While residing in Waverly, West formed an insurance business with a brother, John West. Two years later he decided to seek greater opportunities in the insurance field in Suffolk, Virginia, where he joined the firm of Col. L. P. Harper. West soon became the junior partner in the firm of Harper and West. Upon the death of Harper in 1906 the firm became West and Withers, with Mr. J. T. Withers as junior partner.

On January 17, 1903, West married Margaret Olive Beale, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Edwin W. Beale of Suffolk. Soon after their marriage they purchased the residence then located at the east corner of West Washington Street and St. James Avenue where they lived for the remainder of his life. The Wests had one child, a daughter, Margaret Beale, who was born in 1909.