William Lyne Wilson
| William Lyne Wilson | |
|---|---|
Wilson pictured in The Calyx 1898, Washington & Lee yearbook
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|
| 37th United States Postmaster General | |
|
In office March 1, 1895 – March 5, 1897 |
|
| President |
Grover Cleveland William McKinley |
| Preceded by | Wilson S. Bissell |
| Succeeded by | James A. Gary |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 2nd district |
|
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In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1895 |
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| Preceded by | John B. Hoge |
| Succeeded by | Alston G. Dayton |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 3, 1843 Charles Town, Virginia, USA |
| Died | October 17, 1900 (aged 57) Lexington, Virginia, USA |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | George Washington University |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer, University president |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Confederate States
|
| Service/branch |
 Confederate States Army
|
| Rank | Private |
| Unit |
 12th Virginia Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Lyne Wilson (May 3, 1843 – October 17, 1900) was an American politician and lawyer from West Virginia. A Bourbon Democrat, Wilson was elected to the United States Congress in 1882 and served six terms of office, ending in 1895.
Following his departure from the House of Representatives, Wilson was appointed Postmaster General of the United States by President Grover Cleveland, remaining in that cabinet-level position until 1897. After leaving government service Wilson was named President of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
William Lyne Wilson was born in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) on May 3, 1843. He attended Charles Town Academy, graduated from Columbian College, today part of George Washington University, from which he graduated in 1860. He subsequently studied at the University of Virginia.
During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served as a private in the 12th Virginia Cavalry.
After the war, Wilson for several years, he taught school at Columbian College during which he graduated from law school. He was admitted to the bar in 1869 and opened a private practice in Charles Town.
He was chosen as president of West Virginia University, taking office on September 4, 1882.
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