Henry L. Whitfield
Encyclopedia
Henry Lewis Whitfield was an American
politician who was Governor of Mississippi
from 1924 until his death.
. He began his teaching career at the age of sixteen. Whitfield obtained his teaching degree in 1895 from the Mississippi College
and was appointed to be state superintendent
of education by Governor Anselm J. McLaurin
in 1898. He was re-elected to the post in 1899 and 1903. Whitfield was appointed President of Industrial Institute and College
in 1907. The college experienced growth under his leadership.
Whitfield was elected Governor in 1923, narrowly defeating Theodore G. Bilbo
. This was also the first election in which women could vote for the governor.
As Governor, Whitfield recommended various progressive programs such as improving the mental health care system and improving the public schools.
In 1926, Whitfield fell ill. He went to Memphis, Tennessee
for treatment and returned to Jackson, Mississippi
. While he was able to conduct business, his condition became worse and he died in the Governor's Mansion
. He is buried at the Frienship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who was Governor of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
from 1924 until his death.
Biography
Whitfield was born in Rankin County, MississippiRankin County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,327 people, 42,089 households, and 31,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 149 people per square mile . There were 45,070 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile...
. He began his teaching career at the age of sixteen. Whitfield obtained his teaching degree in 1895 from the Mississippi College
Mississippi College
Mississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
and was appointed to be state superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of education by Governor Anselm J. McLaurin
Anselm J. McLaurin
Anselm Joseph McLaurin was an American politician from Mississippi.McLaurin was born in Brandon, Mississippi, the son of Ellen Caroline and Lauchlin McLaurin III. A Democrat, he served briefly in the U.S...
in 1898. He was re-elected to the post in 1899 and 1903. Whitfield was appointed President of Industrial Institute and College
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women, also known as MUW or simply the "W" is a four-year coeducational public university located in Columbus, Mississippi. It was formerly known as Industrial Institute and College and later Mississippi State College for Women...
in 1907. The college experienced growth under his leadership.
Whitfield was elected Governor in 1923, narrowly defeating Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore G. Bilbo
Theodore Gilmore Bilbo was an American politician. Bilbo, a Democrat, twice served as governor of Mississippi and later was elected a U.S. Senator . A master of filibuster and scathing rhetoric, a rough-and-tumble fighter in debate, he made his name a synonym for white supremacy...
. This was also the first election in which women could vote for the governor.
As Governor, Whitfield recommended various progressive programs such as improving the mental health care system and improving the public schools.
In 1926, Whitfield fell ill. He went to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
for treatment and returned to Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. While he was able to conduct business, his condition became worse and he died in the Governor's Mansion
Mississippi Governor's Mansion
The Mississippi Governor's Mansion is a historic U.S. residence in Jackson, Mississippi, located at 300 East Capitol Street. It is the second oldest executive residence in the United States that has been continuously occupied as a gubernatorial residence .On November 25, 1969, it was added to the U.S...
. He is buried at the Frienship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus is a city in Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States that lies above the Tombigbee River. It is approximately northeast of Jackson, north of Meridian, south of Tupelo, northwest of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and west of Birmingham, Alabama. The population was 25,944 at the 2000 census...
.
External links
- Profile at National Governors AssociationNational Governors AssociationThe National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...
website