Preceded by Harry A. Richardson Political party Democratic Education University of Virginia Succeeded by L. Heisler Ball Spouse(s) May du Pont Party Democratic Party | Preceded by James Paul Clarke Name Willard Jr. Succeeded by Albert B. Cummins Parents Willard Saulsbury, Sr. | |
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Born April 17, 1861
Georgetown, Delaware ( 1861-04-17 ) Role Former member of the U.S. Senate Died February 20, 1927, Wilmington, Delaware, United States Residence Wilmington, Delaware, United States | ||
Previous office Senator (DE) 1913–1919 | ||
Willard Saulsbury Jr. | Wikipedia audio article
Willard Saulsbury Jr. (April 17, 1861 – February 20, 1927) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware and President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate.
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Early life and family
Saulsbury was born in Georgetown, Delaware, son of Willard Saulsbury, Sr., and nephew of Gove Saulsbury and Eli M. Saulsbury. He married May Lammot du Pont the granddaughter of Charles I. du Pont. He attended private schools and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall. Subsequently he studied law, was admitted to the Bar in 1882, and commenced practice in Wilmington, Delaware.
He was president of the New Castle Bar Association and chairman of the board of censors.
Political career
Saulsbury was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1908 until 1920, and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator nearly every year, beginning in 1899.
He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1913, the first year that the position was filled by an election rather than by the General Assembly. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Congresses from March 4, 1913, until March 4, 1919. He was the President pro tempore of the Senate during the 64th and 65th Congress. In the 63rd, 64th, and 65th Congress he was Chairman of the Committee on Coast and Insular Survey, and in the 65th Congress he was also a member of the Committee on Pacific Islands and Puerto Rico. In 1918, he lost to Republican L. Heisler Ball, a former U.S. Senator.
Later years
After leaving the Senate, he was a member of the advisory committee of the Conference on Limitation of Armaments in Washington, D.C., in 1921 and 1922, and a member of the Pan American Conference in Santiago, Chile, in 1923.
He continued the practice of law in Wilmington and Washington, D.C., until his death.
Saulsbury died in Wilmington and is buried in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery at Dover.