Thomas Francis Bayard, Jr. (June 4 1868 – July 12 1942) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served two terms as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. | |
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| U. S. Senator from Delaware | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 4 1868 Wilmington, Delaware |
| Died | July 12 1942 Wilmington, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Height | 225 |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Bradford du Pont |
| Residence(s) | Wilmington, Delaware |
Early life and family
Bayard was born June 4 1868 in Wilmington, Delaware, son of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Sr., and grandson of U.S. Senator James A. Bayard, Jr.. In 1908 he married Elizabeth Bradford du Pont, and they had five children, Elizabeth, Thomas, Ellen, James, and Alexis. They were members of the Episcopal Church.
Bayard graduated from Yale University in 1890, attended Yale Law School and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1893. After living in New York City for four years and working as assistant corporation counsel, he returned to his Delaware law practice in 1901. He served as a Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party's state committee from 1906 to 1916, and as solicitor for the city of Wilmington, from 1917 until 1919.
Political career
Bayard was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election on November 7 1922, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator Josiah O. Wolcott. On the same day he was also elected for the full term to follow, in both instances defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Senator T. Coleman du Pont, who had been appointed. During this term, he served in the Democratic minority in the last session of the 67th Congress, and in the 68th, 69th, and 70th Congress.
Bayard lost his bid for a second full term in 1928 to Republican John G. Townsend, Jr., the former Governor. He then lost another bid for a second full term in 1930 to incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Daniel O. Hastings. In all, Bayard served one term and part of another, from November 2 1922 to March 3 1929, during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Subsequently, he resumed his law practice in Wilmington.
Death and legacy
Bayard died July 12 1942 in Wilmington, Delaware, and is buried in the Old Swedes Church Cemetery in Wilmington. His son, Alexis I. duPont Bayard, served as Lieutenant Governor of Delaware from 1949 to 1953.
Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. U.S. Senators took office March 4th for a six year terms. Before 1913, the General Assembly elected the U.S. Senators, and afterwards they were popularly elected.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | Legislature | Washington | 1922 | November 7 1922 | March 3 1923 | [1] |
| U.S. Senate | Legislative | Washington | 1922 | March 4 1923 | March 3 1929 |
Election results
| Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | U.S. Senator | Special | Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 36,954 | 50% | T. Coleman du Pont | Republican | 36,894 | 50% | ||
| 1922 | U.S. Senator | General | Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 37,304 | 50% | T. Coleman du Pont | Republican | 36,979 | 49% | ||
| 1928 | U.S. Senator | General | Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 40,828 | 39% | John G. Townsend, Jr. | Republican | 63,725 | 61% | ||
| 1930 | U.S. Senator | General | Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 39,881 | 45% | Daniel O. Hastings | Republican | 47,909 | 54% |
Notes
- ^ this was a special election.
References
- Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-20-6.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
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Images
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [1]
External links
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [2]
- Delaware’s Members of Congress [3]
- Find a Grave [4]
- The Political Graveyard [5]
Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [6] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [7] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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