Willis Smith
Willis Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from North Carolina | |
| In office November 27, 1950 – June 26, 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Frank P. Graham |
| Succeeded by | Alton Lennon |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office 1927-1932 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 19, 1887 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | June 26, 1953 (aged 65) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Trinity College |
| Profession | Law |
Willis Smith (December 19, 1887 – June 26, 1953) was an American attorney and
Democratic U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina
between 1950 and 1953.
Early life and education
Born in Norfolk Virginia, he moved to North Carolina before age 2. After graduating from Trinity College (now the undergraduate liberal arts college of
Duke University Law School in 1912, he became a practicing attorney—but interrupted his work to serve in the United States Army during World War I. In 1912, he founded the law firm that eventually became known as Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan (informally "Smith Anderson").[1]
Political career
Smith served in the
president of the American Bar Association (1945-1946).[3]
In the Democratic primary of 1950, Smith defeated incumbent Sen.
Harry Truman and the state's liberal Democratic faction, while Smith was aided by strategist Jesse Helms
.
Smith's service in the Senate was brief and unremarkable.[according to whom?]
Death
He died due to coronary thrombosis in 1953 in Bethesda, Maryland[5] and was interred at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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Campaign flyer for Willis Smith for Senate in the 1950 US Senate race in North Carolina.
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)
References
- ^ "Smith Anderson: A History of Excellence". Smithlaw.com. 2008-04-26. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Bioguide.congress.gov. 1953-06-26. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ "NORTH CAROLINA: Next in Line". Time. 1950-05-15. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ "The 1950 Senate campaign - North Carolina Digital History". Learnnc.org. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
- ^ Senator Willis Smith Dies after Three-Day Illness; Burlington Daily Times; Burlington, North Carolina; Page 1; June 26, 1953
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