Thomas F. Bayard Jr.

Thomas Francis Bayard Jr. (June 4, 1868 – July 12, 1942) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Delaware in the 1920s.

Thomas F. Bayard Jr.
Bayard in 1905
United States Senator
from Delaware
In office
November 8, 1922 – March 3, 1929
Preceded byT. Coleman du Pont
Succeeded byJohn G. Townsend Jr.
Personal details
Born
Thomas Francis Bayard Jr.

(1868-06-04)June 4, 1868
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
DiedJuly 12, 1942(1942-07-12) (aged 74)
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Elizabeth Bradford du Pont
​
​
(m. 1908)​
Children5, including Alexis I. du Pont Bayard
Parent
Residence(s)Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Alma materYale University
Professionlawyer

Early life
See also: Bayard family
Elizabeth Bradford du Pont Bayard

Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware, son of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard Sr. and grandson of U.S. Senator James A. Bayard Jr.

Bayard graduated from Yale University in 1890, where he was a member of Skull and Bones,[1]: 29  and served as secretary of his class.[2] He attended Yale Law School and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1893.

Personal life

He married Elizabeth Bradford du Pont on October 3, 1908.[3] Together, they had five children:

Career

After living in New York City for four years and working as assistant corporation counsel, he returned to his Delaware law practice in 1901. He served as a chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party's state committee from 1906 to 1916, and as solicitor for the city of Wilmington from 1917 until 1919.

Bayard was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election on November 7, 1922, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator Josiah O. Wolcott. On the same day, he was also elected for the full term to follow, in both instances defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Senator T. Coleman du Pont (a cousin of Bayard's wife), who had been appointed. During this term, he served in the Democratic minority in the last session of the 67th Congress, and in the 68th, 69th, and 70th Congress.

Bayard lost his bid for a second full term in 1928 to Republican John G. Townsend Jr., the former governor. He then lost another bid for a second full term in 1930 to incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Daniel O. Hastings. In all, Bayard served one term and part of another, from November 7, 1922, to March 3, 1929, during the administrations of U.S. presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge. Subsequently, he resumed his law practice in Wilmington.

Death and legacy

Bayard died at Wilmington and is buried there in the Old Swedes Episcopal Church Cemetery. His son, Alexis I. du Pont Bayard, served as Lieutenant Governor of Delaware from 1949 to 1953.

He is the namesake of the town of Bayard, West Virginia.[4]

References
  1. "Obituary Record Of Graduates Of Yale University Deceased During The Year, 1942-1943" (PDF). Yale University. January 1, 1944. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  2. Bayard, Thomas Francis; Yale University; Class of 1890 (1911). Vicennial record of the Class of 1890, Yale College. Wilmington, Del.: Geo. A. Wolf. OCLC 38178379.
  3. "Bayard - du Pont" (PDF). New York Times. October 4, 1908. Retrieved November 28, 2012. At Rencourt, near Greenville, to-day, Miss Elizabeth B. Du Pont, daughter of Alexis Irene Du Pont and the late Dr. Alexis I. Du Pont, was married to Thomas F. Bayard, son of the late Ambassador Bayard. ...
  4. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 98.


Public offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office Notes
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington November 7, 1922 March 3, 1923
U.S. Senator Legislative Washington March 4, 1923 March 3, 1929
United States Congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1922–1923 67th U.S. Senate Republican Warren G. Harding
Calvin Coolidge		 class 1
1923–1925 68th U.S. Senate Republican Calvin Coolidge class 1
1925–1927 69th U.S. Senate Republican Calvin Coolidge class 1
1927–1929 70th U.S. Senate Republican Calvin Coolidge class 1
Election results
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1922 U.S. Senator Special Thomas F. Bayard Jr. Democratic 36,954 50% T. Coleman du Pont Republican 36,894 50%
1922 U.S. Senator General Thomas F. Bayard Jr. Democratic 37,304 50% T. Coleman du Pont Republican 36,979 49%
1928 U.S. Senator General Thomas F. Bayard Jr. Democratic 40,828 39% John G. Townsend Jr. Republican 63,725 61%
1930 U.S. Senator General Thomas F. Bayard Jr. Democratic 39,881 45% Daniel O. Hastings Republican 47,909 54%

References
  • Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend Jr. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-20-6.
  • Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
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