James McIlhany Thomson was a member Virginia House of Delegates

Virginia House of Delegates

The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...

 representing Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...

 from 1956 - 1977. He was Democratic

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 Floor Leader of the House from 1968 until his retirement in 1977.

Early life and education

James M. Thomson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...

 on August 9, 1924. He was named after his uncle James M. Thomson

James M. Thomson

James McIlhany Thomson was an American newspaper publisher, best known for his long tenure as head of the New Orleans States-Item and his political role within the Democratic Party.-Early years:...

, the renowned editor of the New Orleans States-Item. Thomson attended St. James Episcopal School, in Maryland. He served in the United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 in 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...

 and graduated in 1946 from the Virginia Military Institute and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1950.

Political career

Thomson was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1955 and served until 1977. From 1968 until 1977, he was the Democratic Floor Leader of the House. Nicknamed "Landslide Jim" for a number of very close elections. He lost his House seat in the 1977 election by a one-term republican and went on to be appointed Commissioner of Insurance for Virginia.

Death

Thomson died on July 24, 2001 in Berryville, Virginia

Berryville, Virginia

Berryville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...

and was buried in the Thomson family plot at the Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town, WV with his parents and brothers and two aunts. A sister, Gretchen Thomson Byrd, married to Harry F. Byrd, Jr. of Virginia, is buried in the Byrd family plot in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, VA.