Thomas Walter Bickett
Encyclopedia
Thomas Walter Bickett was the 54th Governor
of the U.S. state
of North Carolina
from 1917 to 1921.
Bickett was a graduate of Wake Forest College. Prior to being elected Governor, Bickett represented Franklin County
in the North Carolina General Assembly
and then served as North Carolina Attorney General
for two terms (1909–1917).
In 1916, Bickett became the first state governor who was nominated by means of a Democratic Party primary election
(in which he defeated Lt. Gov. Elijah L. Daughtridge
). Under Bickett's leadership, the state saw improvements in child welfare, public health
, electricity, and running water. He also had to lead the state through World War I
.
Walter Bickett Elementary in Monroe, NC (where he was born) is named for him.
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
from 1917 to 1921.
Bickett was a graduate of Wake Forest College. Prior to being elected Governor, Bickett represented Franklin County
Franklin County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 47,260 people, 17,843 households, and 12,882 families residing in the county. The population density was 96 people per square mile . There were 20,364 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
in the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
and then served as North Carolina Attorney General
North Carolina attorney general
The Attorney General of North Carolina is the head of the state's Department of Justice and provides legal representation and advice to all state agencies. He or she does not have the authority to prosecute specific crimes unless requested to do so by a local district attorney...
for two terms (1909–1917).
In 1916, Bickett became the first state governor who was nominated by means of a Democratic Party primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
(in which he defeated Lt. Gov. Elijah L. Daughtridge
Elijah L. Daughtridge
Elijah Longstreet Daughtridge was a North Carolina politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1913 to 1917....
). Under Bickett's leadership, the state saw improvements in child welfare, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
, electricity, and running water. He also had to lead the state through 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...
.
Walter Bickett Elementary in Monroe, NC (where he was born) is named for him.