Westmoreland Davis

Westmoreland Davis
Westmoreland Davis in 1921
48th Governor of Virginia
In office February 1, 1918 – February 1, 1922
Lieutenant	Benjamin Franklin Buchanan
Preceded by	Henry Carter Stuart
Succeeded by	Elbert Lee Trinkle
Personal details
Born	August 21, 1859 Atlantic Ocean
Died	September 7, 1942 (aged 83) Baltimore, Maryland
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marguerite Inman
Alma mater	Virginia Military Institute, Columbia Law School
Profession	Lawyer, politician, planter

Westmoreland "Morley" Davis (August 21, 1859 – September 7, 1942) was an American lawyer, farmer, and the 48th Governor of Virginia, serving from February 1, 1918 to February 1, 1922.

Biography

Davis was born to a wealthy and prominent family on August 21, 1859. He was born on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean. The Davis family lost much of its wealth during the American Civil War. Davis and his mother, left a widow, struggled financially after the war, but he was able to attend the Virginia Military Institute on a scholarship. He was the youngest Cadet to ever attend at the age of 14. After graduating in 1877, he taught for 2 years then went to work as a clerk for the railroad company. Later, he "completed a year of post-graduate study at the University of Virginia in 1883," and studied at Columbia Law School from 1884 until graduating in 1886. He joined an elite New York City law firm and became wealthy.

In 1903, Davis purchased Morven Park where he planned to take up farming despite his lack of experience. Davis advocated reform in farming, especially the use of science to improve productivity and sanitation. In 1912, he bought the magazine Southern Planter, one of the most popular magazines in the South. He used his position to advocate his ideas on farming and for political aid to farmers.

Virginia elected Davis governor in 1917 on a "wet," or anti-Prohibition, platform. As governor, Davis sent increased funding to Virginia's colleges and universities. He also pressed for aid to farmers and funding for scientific farming research. In general, he reformed and modernized the Virginia government. While governor, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1920.

Davis died on September 7, 1942, in a Baltimore hospital and was buried at Morven Park. His executive papers from his time as Governor of Virginia can be found at the Library of Virginia.

Election

1917; Davis was elected Governor of Virginia with 71.47% of the vote, defeating Republican Thomas J. Muncy and Socialist Frank Smith.