C. Bascom Slemp
Encyclopedia
Campbell Bascom Slemp was an American Republican politician. He was a six-time United States
congressman
from Virginia's 9th congressional district
from 1907 to 1922 and served as the presidential secretary to President
Calvin Coolidge
. As a philanthropist
, Slemp set up the "Slemp Foundation", which provides gifts and scholarships to schools and colleges in Southwestern Virginia
.
in Lee County
to Colonel
Campbell Slemp
, a United States Representative
from the 9th district of Virginia
from 1903 to 1907.
He attended the public schools of rural Southwest Virginia at "The Seminary" in Turkey Cove. In 1887, Slemp entered the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute
in Lexington, Virginia
and graduated in 1891, he graduated with the highest grade point average in the school's history — a record that stands today. He also received the Jackson Medal for Most Distinguished Student four years in a row.
He subsequently studied law at the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville
.
for one year after which he was hired as Principal of the Stonega Academy in Big Stone Gap
. He taught at VMI as Professor of Mathematics for several years, then in 1901, after being admitted to the Virginia bar, he resigned his position at the Institute to set up a law practice in Big Stone Gap.
.
Campbell Slemp, his father, served Virginia’s 9th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives
from 1903 to 1907. After the death of his father, Slemp was elected to fill the vacancy. He was reelected to the position six times, serving from 1907 until 1922, at which point he declined to be a candidate for re-election.
On September 4, 1923, six months after Slemp completed his last term as Congressman, President Calvin Coolidge
appointed him to serve as Secretary to the President of the United States, a post similar to the later White House Chief of Staff
. He served until March 4, 1925 when he resigned early in Coolidge's second term after friction between himself and the President was unable to be resolved. He was succeeded by Everett Sanders
.
. In 1931, Slemp was awarded the prestigious French Legion of Honor Medal
for his work as United States Commissioner General for the International Colonial and Overseas Exposition
that took place in Paris in May 1931, one of his last official responsibilities before his retirement.
He remained a prominent member of the community and southwest Virginia
political scene until his death at the age of 73 in Knoxville, Tennessee
on August 7, 1943. He was later buried in the family cemetery at Turkey Cove, Virginia.
The Slemp Scholarship, named in honor of the late congressman, is awarded to outstanding college students who graduated from schools in Lee, Scott
, and Wise Counties, Virginia.
In October 2003, the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center was opened on the campus of the University of Virginia's College at Wise
. This $10.9 million, 46234 square feet (4,295.3 m²) structure was funded by student fees and a $2.5 million gift from the Slemp Foundation. Planning for the student center began eight and a half years before the project was completed.
Slemp was a great-uncle of the American film
star George C. Scott
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
from Virginia's 9th congressional district
Virginia's 9th congressional district
Virginia's ninth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia, covering much of the southwestern part of the state. The 9th is Virginia's second-largest district in area, covering 8800.24 square miles . The current representative is Morgan Griffith...
from 1907 to 1922 and served as the presidential secretary to President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
. As a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, Slemp set up the "Slemp Foundation", which provides gifts and scholarships to schools and colleges in Southwestern Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Early life
Slemp was born at Turkey Cove, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in Lee County
Lee County, Virginia
According to the census 2009 estimates, there were 25001 people, 11,587 households, and 6,852 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 11,587 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Campbell Slemp
Campbell Slemp
Campbell Slemp , was an American Republican politician, and a United States Representative from the 9th District of Virginia from 1903 to 1907, during the 58th, 59th, and 60th Congresses....
, a United States Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from the 9th district of Virginia
Virginia's 9th congressional district
Virginia's ninth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia, covering much of the southwestern part of the state. The 9th is Virginia's second-largest district in area, covering 8800.24 square miles . The current representative is Morgan Griffith...
from 1903 to 1907.
He attended the public schools of rural Southwest Virginia at "The Seminary" in Turkey Cove. In 1887, Slemp entered the Corp of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
in Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Lexington is an independent city within the confines of Rockbridge County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 7,042 in 2010. Lexington is about 55 minutes east of the West Virginia border and is about 50 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. It was first settled in 1777.It is home to...
and graduated in 1891, he graduated with the highest grade point average in the school's history — a record that stands today. He also received the Jackson Medal for Most Distinguished Student four years in a row.
He subsequently studied law at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
.
Early career
Slemp served as Commandant of Cadets at the Marion Military InstituteMarion Military Institute
Marion Military Institute, often abbreviated with the initialism MMI, is the official state military college of Alabama. Founded in Marion in 1842, it continues at its original location.-History:...
for one year after which he was hired as Principal of the Stonega Academy in Big Stone Gap
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Big Stone Gap is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,643 at the 2010 census.-History:The community was formerly known as "Meneral City" and "Three Forks." The "Big Stone Gap" refers to the valley which has been created on the Appalachia Straight, located between...
. He taught at VMI as Professor of Mathematics for several years, then in 1901, after being admitted to the Virginia bar, he resigned his position at the Institute to set up a law practice in Big Stone Gap.
Political career
In 1905, Slemp was elected as chairman of the Republican State Committee and served until 1918 at which point he was elected to the Republican National CommitteeRepublican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
.
Campbell Slemp, his father, served Virginia’s 9th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1903 to 1907. After the death of his father, Slemp was elected to fill the vacancy. He was reelected to the position six times, serving from 1907 until 1922, at which point he declined to be a candidate for re-election.
On September 4, 1923, six months after Slemp completed his last term as Congressman, President Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
appointed him to serve as Secretary to the President of the United States, a post similar to the later White House Chief of Staff
White House Chief of Staff
The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President.The current White House Chief of Staff is Bill Daley.-History:...
. He served until March 4, 1925 when he resigned early in Coolidge's second term after friction between himself and the President was unable to be resolved. He was succeeded by Everett Sanders
Everett Sanders
Jmes Everett Sanders was an American political figure. He was Presidential secretary to President Calvin Coolidge and chairman of the Republican National Committee.-Biography:...
.
Return to rural life
After leaving the Coolidge administration, Slemp returned to his law practice in Big Stone Gap, VirginiaBig Stone Gap, Virginia
Big Stone Gap is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,643 at the 2010 census.-History:The community was formerly known as "Meneral City" and "Three Forks." The "Big Stone Gap" refers to the valley which has been created on the Appalachia Straight, located between...
. In 1931, Slemp was awarded the prestigious French Legion of Honor Medal
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
for his work as United States Commissioner General for the International Colonial and Overseas Exposition
Paris Colonial Exposition
The Paris Colonial Exhibition was a six-month colonial exhibition held in Paris, France in 1931 that attempted to display the diverse cultures and immense resources of France's colonial possessions.-History :The exposition opened on 6 May 1931 in the Bois de Vincennes on the eastern outskirts of...
that took place in Paris in May 1931, one of his last official responsibilities before his retirement.
He remained a prominent member of the community and southwest Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
political scene until his death at the age of 73 in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
on August 7, 1943. He was later buried in the family cemetery at Turkey Cove, Virginia.
Legacy
As a philanthropist, Slemp continues to touch the lives of countless youth. He set up the Slemp Foundation, which provides gifts to libraries, schools and colleges in Southwestern Virginia. Many of the "Lonesome Pine Regional Library" (which serves Lee and Wise Counties, Virginia) locations are named in his honor.The Slemp Scholarship, named in honor of the late congressman, is awarded to outstanding college students who graduated from schools in Lee, Scott
Scott County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,403 people, 9,795 households, and 7,023 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile . There were 11,355 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, and Wise Counties, Virginia.
In October 2003, the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center was opened on the campus of the University of Virginia's College at Wise
University of Virginia's College at Wise
The University of Virginia's College at Wise is the liberal arts college of the University of Virginia, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, located in Wise, Virginia...
. This $10.9 million, 46234 square feet (4,295.3 m²) structure was funded by student fees and a $2.5 million gift from the Slemp Foundation. Planning for the student center began eight and a half years before the project was completed.
Slemp was a great-uncle of the American film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
star George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
.