William Bailey Lamar
Encyclopedia
William Bailey Lamar was an American
politician and lawyer from the state of Florida
.
, and attended Jefferson Academy in Monticello and the University of Georgia
in Athens
. He lived in Athens from 1866 through 1873. After returning to Florida, Lamar graduated from Lebanon Law School in Lebanon, Tennessee
, in 1875. He gained admittance to the bar and began practicing law in Tupelo, Mississippi
. He then served as clerk of the circuit court of Jefferson County, Florida
, from January 1877 to January 1881. In 1883, he became judge of the Jefferson County court and served in that position until 1886
In 1887, Lamar was elected to the Florida House of Representatives
and declined his selection as that body's speaker. In 1889, he became Florida Attorney General
and served until 1903. In 1902, he won election as a Democrat
to represent Florida's newley created 3rd district
in the United States House of Representatives
during the 58th United States Congress
. He won reelection to two more terms. Rather than seek reelection for a fourth term in 1908, Lamar ran an unsuccessful campaign for one of Florida's seats in the United States Senate
.
In 1915, Lamar became the national commissioner to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California
. The next year, he moved to Washington, D.C.
. Lamar died in Thomasville, Georgia
, on September 26, 1928 and was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery
in Athens.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and lawyer from the state of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Biography
Lamar was born in Monticello, FloridaMonticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
, and attended Jefferson Academy in Monticello and the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. He lived in Athens from 1866 through 1873. After returning to Florida, Lamar graduated from Lebanon Law School in Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon is a city in Wilson County, Tennessee, in the United States. The population was 20,235 at the 2000 census. It serves as the county seat of Wilson County. Lebanon is located in middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles east of downtown Nashville. Local residents have also called it...
, in 1875. He gained admittance to the bar and began practicing law in Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo is the largest city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Mississippi, smaller than Meridian, and larger than Greenville. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city's population was 34,211...
. He then served as clerk of the circuit court of Jefferson County, Florida
Jefferson County, Florida
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population is 12,902. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 14,490 . Its county seat is Monticello, Florida....
, from January 1877 to January 1881. In 1883, he became judge of the Jefferson County court and served in that position until 1886
In 1887, Lamar was elected to the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
and declined his selection as that body's speaker. In 1889, he became Florida Attorney General
Florida Attorney General
The Florida Attorney General is an elected cabinet official in the U.S. state of Florida. The attorney general serves as the chief legal officer of the state....
and served until 1903. In 1902, he won election as a Democrat
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...
to represent Florida's newley created 3rd district
Florida's 3rd congressional district
Florida's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. The district includes portions of Alachua, Clay, Duval, Lake, Marion, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia counties....
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...
during the 58th United States Congress
58th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
. He won reelection to two more terms. Rather than seek reelection for a fourth term in 1908, Lamar ran an unsuccessful campaign for one of Florida's seats in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
In 1915, Lamar became the national commissioner to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. The next year, he moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Lamar died in Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States. The city is the second largest in Southwest Georgia after Albany.The city deems itself the City of Roses and holds an annual Rose Festival. The town features plantations open to the public, a historic downtown, a large...
, on September 26, 1928 and was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery
Oconee Hill Cemetery
Oconee Hill Cemetery is an American cemetery in Athens, Georgia. The cemetery opened in 1856 and is located just off the University of Georgia's campus....
in Athens.