Thomas B. Stanley

Thomas Bahnson Stanley (* July 16, 1890 in Spencer, Henry County, Virginia; † July 10, 1970 in Martinsville, Virginia ) was an American politician and from 1954 to 1958 Governor of Virginia. Between 1946 and 1953 he represented his state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early years

Thomas Stanley attended the public schools of his home and then to 1912 the Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie. He then worked in various jobs until in 1924 a furniture factory founded. Soon he was involved also in other companies in this industry. In addition, he still went into the milk business and livestock.

Political rise

Stanley was a member of the Democratic Party. Between 1930 and 1946 he sat in the House of Representatives from Virginia; since 1942, he was president of this chamber. Following the resignation of Thomas G. Burch, who moved to the U.S. Senate, Stanley took over his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. After two re- election he was able to exercise this mandate between 5 November 1946 and 3 February 1953. He was chairman of the Committee for the administration of the House of Representatives ( Committee on House Administration). Once he had decided to run for the office of governor, Stanley laid in February 1953 from his position in Congress.

Governor of Virginia

After his successful election Thomas Stanley was able to begin his four-year term as governor on 11 January 1954. As governor, he pushed for an increase in petroleum and called Federal grants for the maintenance of the highways. He was also for a further improvement of the educational system of his state. However, his efforts were overshadowed by an intra-party dispute over the budget design and partially braked. The governor tried to enforce the African American in the schools, a gradual integration ( desegregation ). He came to the firm opposition of U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd.

Further CV

At the end of his tenure, Stanley again devoted his business interests, with emphasis on furniture making. This industry he remained until his death. He was also curator of the Randolph -Macon College and president of the First National Bank of Bassett. Stanley was also President of a Commission for the control of tax revenues and expenditures of the State of Virginia and the subordinate administrative authorities. He died in July 1970. Together with his wife Anne Pocahontas Bassett he had three children. His two sons also went into the furniture business.