Preceded by John W. Williams Preceded by W. P. Cousins Education University of Virginia Succeeded by John A. Lesner | Preceded by Joseph T. Deal Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | |
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Full Name Edward Griffith Dodson Born April 30, 1884
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. ( 1884-04-30 ) Spouse(s) Harriott Jones Winchester Alma mater University of Virginia (LL.B.) Died 8 April 1969, Norfolk, Virginia, United States | ||
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Edward Griffith Dodson (April 30, 1884 – April 8, 1969) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who was Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1934 to 1962, and author of much-used biographical compilations of Virginia public officials.
Contents
Early and family life
Born in Norfolk, Virginia on April 30, 1884 to Robert Adolphus Dodson (1861–1913) and Julia Edwards Griffith Dodson (1861–1916), Dodson was educated in the local public schools and received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1907. His brother Gustavus Pfeltz Dodson (1893–1915) died not long after Dodson married Harriotte Jones Winchester of Macon, Georgia on January 29, 1913. Their son Edward Griffith Dodson Jr. later followed in his father's footsteps at the University of Virginia, as a lawyer and as a delegate from Roanoke, Virginia in the Virginia General Assembly from 1938–1954 (while his father served as its clerk).
Career
A lifelong Democrat and member of what became the Byrd Organization, Dodson's elective career began on the Norfolk Board of Alderman (1912 to 1918). He was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee from 1916 to 1938, and served as campaign manager in Norfolk for Harry F. Byrd in his successful run for Governor against G. Walter Mapp in 1925. Dodson was member of the State Commission on Conservation and Development from 1926 to 1934, and helped start Virginia's program of historical markers, advocating preserving and using the Commonwealth's historic resources to foster tourism. He participated in developing historic Jamestown, Virginia and the British goodwill tour on the 350th anniversary of the colony's founding in 1955. He was also director of Norfolk's Seaboard Citizens National Bank.
Dodson was twice elected to the Virginia House of Delegates (1918 to 1920) to represent Norfolk. He also served briefly in the Virginia State Senate (1922–1923), succeeding Joseph T. Deal, who was elected to U.S. House, until John A. Lesner resumed his state senate seat.
Serving as Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates (1934 to 1962) facilitated Dodson's compilations of Virginia history: The Capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia at Richmond (1937), The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1885–1918 (1960),The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1919–1939 (1939), Speakers and Clerks of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1776–1955 (1956) and The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia 1940–1960 (1961).
Death and legacy
Dodson died in Norfolk, Virginia on April 8, 1969 and was buried at the city's Elmwood cemetery. His papers (and those of his son) are held by the Library of Virginia.