R. Cowles Taylor
Encyclopedia
R. Cowles Taylor was the mayor
of Newport News, Virginia
from 1942 to 1955. As such, he was mayor of the city during World War II
, at a time when the city's ports were used to send American troops to Europe
to fight in the war. As was seen during World War I
, this activity put a tremendous strain on the city's infrastructure, and Taylor was instrumental in seeing that the city continued to function despite the effort. At one point, several tens of thousand of homes, rooms and hotels would come under rent control
imposed by Taylor. Taylor also held the dubious honor of being the only casualty of the celebrations that followed the end of the war - his car was stolen during a meeting of the Rotary Club.
He also served on the committee that planned the city's Golden Anniversary year in 1946 to celebrate the fiftieth anninversary of Newport News's incorpation as a city.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
from 1942 to 1955. As such, he was mayor of the city during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, at a time when the city's ports were used to send American troops to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to fight in the war. As was seen during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, this activity put a tremendous strain on the city's infrastructure, and Taylor was instrumental in seeing that the city continued to function despite the effort. At one point, several tens of thousand of homes, rooms and hotels would come under rent control
Rent control
Rent control refers to laws or ordinances that set price controls on the renting of residential housing. It functions as a price ceiling.Rent control exists in approximately 40 countries around the world...
imposed by Taylor. Taylor also held the dubious honor of being the only casualty of the celebrations that followed the end of the war - his car was stolen during a meeting of the Rotary Club.
He also served on the committee that planned the city's Golden Anniversary year in 1946 to celebrate the fiftieth anninversary of Newport News's incorpation as a city.