Richard Thomas Walker Duke
Encyclopedia
Richard Thomas Walker Duke, Sr. (June 6, 1822 – July 2, 1898) was a nineteenth century congressman and lawyer from Virginia
.
, Duke attended private schools as a child and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute
in 1844 and from the law department of the University of Virginia
in 1850. He was elected the commonwealth attorney
for Albemarle County, Virginia
in 1858 which he served as until 1869. At the outbreak of the Civil War
, Duke enlisted in the Confederate Army
becoming colonel
of the 46th Regiment, Virginia Infantry. He was elected a Conservative
to the United States House of Representatives
to fill a vacancy in 1870, defeating Alexander Rives
, and serving until 1873. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
in 1879 and 1880. Duke died at his estate called "Sunny Side" near Charlottesville, Virginia
on July 2, 1898 and was interred in Maplewood Cemetery in Charlottesville.
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...
.
Biography
Born near Charlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville, 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...
, Duke attended private schools as a child and graduated from the 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 1844 and from the law department of 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 1850. He was elected the commonwealth attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney is the title given to the elected prosecutor of felony crimes in Kentucky and Virginia. Other states refer to similar prosecutors as District Attorney or State's Attorney....
for Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
in 1858 which he served as until 1869. At the outbreak of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Duke enlisted in the Confederate Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
becoming colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 46th Regiment, Virginia Infantry. He was elected a Conservative
Conservative Party of Virginia
The Conservative Party of Virginia was a short-lived United States political party in the state of Virginia during the late 19th century. During its history, the party was successful in electing just six congressmen to the U.S...
to 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...
to fill a vacancy in 1870, defeating Alexander Rives
Alexander Rives
Alexander Rives was a Virginia lawyer, politician, and federal judge.-Family and politics:Rives was born in Nelson County, Virginia. He attended Hampden-Sydney College from 1821 to 1825 when he graduated; and the University of Virginia, graduating in 1828. He was admitted to the bar and began...
, and serving until 1873. He was a member of the 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...
in 1879 and 1880. Duke died at his estate called "Sunny Side" near Charlottesville, Virginia
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...
on July 2, 1898 and was interred in Maplewood Cemetery in Charlottesville.