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Alexis I. du Pont Bayard

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Alexis I. du Pont Bayard
13th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
In office
January 20, 1949 – January 15, 1953
GovernorElbert N. Carvel
Preceded byElbert N. Carvel
Succeeded byJohn W. Rollins
Personal details
Born(1918-02-11)February 11, 1918
Wilmington, Delaware
DiedSeptember 3, 1985(1985-09-03) (aged 67)
Wilmington, Delaware
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJane Brady Hildreth
Residence(s)Greenville, Delaware
Professionlawyer
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Battles/warsWorld War II

Alexis Irénée du Pont "Lex" Bayard (February 11, 1918 - September 3, 1985) was an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, near Greenville, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Democratic Party, who served as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.[1]

Early Life and family

See also: Bayard family and du Pont family

Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware, son of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. and Elizabeth Bradford du Pont Bayard. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Alexis Irénée du Pont. Bayard was the scion of two prominent Delaware families. On his father’s side, Alexis descended from the politically powerful Bayard family. The Bayard’s had long been bulwarks of Delaware’s Democratic Party, with each of the previous five generations of the Bayard family having represented Delaware in the United States Senate. Bayard’s mother, Elizabeth Bradford du Pont, was the daughter of Alexis Irénée du Pont, Jr., granddaughter of Alexis Irénée du Pont, and great-grand daughter of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. He was the founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, the gunpowder and chemicals company that grew to dominate northern Delaware in the early twentieth century. By this time the du Pont’s were a large and enormously wealthy family, many of whom were involved in the political life of Delaware.

He married Jane Brady Hildreth on April 24, 1944, and they had three children; Alexis du Pont, Jr., Eugene Hildreth, and Richard Henry. During World War II, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Bayard had studied the law, and upon returning, began a practice in Wilmington, Delaware.

Political career

A war veteran with a well-known name, the 30-year-old Bayard was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1948, defeating Republican Chester V. Townsend, Jr. of Dagsboro, who was Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives. He served as Lieutenant Governor from January 20, 1949 until January 15, 1953. In 1948 he also served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Bayard lost a bid for a seat in the United States Senate in 1952 to the incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John J. Williams. Bayard’s inexperience and aristocratic roots compared unfavorably to Williams' "rags-to-riches" rise from chicken farmer to national figure. These factors, along with Williams' reputation for honesty, integrity, fairness, and bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate and the popularity of the Republican's U.S. Presidential candidate, Dwight D. Eisenhower, led the incumbent to a ten-point victory over Bayard at the polls.

After his defeat by Williams, Bayard resumed his law practice and remained an active supporter of the Democratic Party.

Death and legacy

Bayard died in Wilmington, Delaware on September 3, 1985 during heart-bypass surgery at Graduate Hospital.[1] He was buried at the Old Swedes Episcopal Church Cemetery, alongside his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Bayard was the last member of his line to be elected to public office, thus ending a six generation tradition. After his death, the Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Award was created for distinguished service to the party. His son, Richard H. Bayard, has served as Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The Lieutenant Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four-year term.


Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
Lt. Governor Executive Dover January 20, 1949 January 15, 1953


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1948 Lt. Governor Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Democratic 74,605 53% Chester V. Townsend, Jr. Republican 65,545 47%
1952 U.S. Senator Alexis I. du Pont Bayard Democratic 77,685 45% John J. Williams Republican 93,020 55%

References

  1. ^ a b "Alexis I. Du Pont Bayard, Lawyer And Political Leader". Philadelphia Inquirer. September 5, 1985. Retrieved 2012-11-28. Alexis I. du Pont Bayard, 67, former lieutenant governor of Delaware and a member of the finance committee of the Democratic National Committee, died Tuesday during heart-bypass surgery at Graduate Hospital. A lawyer who was known as "Lex," he maintained a law office in Wilmington and homes in Wilmington and in Rehoboth Beach. He was a partner in Bayard, Bill & Handelman, a law firm that lists major corporations and national organizations among ... {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Further reading

  • Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Grapevine Publishing. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Hoffecker, Carol E. (2000). Honest John Williams. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Places with more information

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