Whyte, William Pinkney

Description

Autograph ID: 7045
Condition: Very good, light small stain at lower left
Description: “(1824-1908) Maryland Democrat, State Delegate, Comptroller, US Senator, 35th Governor, Mayor of Baltimore, and State Attorney General. His grandfather, William Pinkney, was a noted politician, administrator, and diplomat. Whyte’s early education was from a private tutor, formerly personal secretary to Napoleon, and he was admitted to the Bar in 1846. Member of the House of Delegates 1847-49, Comptroller of the State Treasury 1853-55. Whyte filled the remainder of Senator Reverdy Johnson’s term, and supported embattled President Andrew Johnson, and also easing tension in Southern states during Reconstruction. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1868. In 1872, Whyte was elected Governor, and in 1874, was elected by the legislature to the US Senate, resigning as Governor. In 1874, he was counsel for Maryland before the arbitration board in the boundary dispute between Virginia and Maryland. While Senator, he opposed paying the nation’s debt with silver and gold instead of solely gold, and chose not to run for re-election. He was elected Mayor of Baltimore unopposed in 1881. Whyte was Attorney General of Maryland, and Baltimore City Solicitor 1900–03. In 1906, he was appointed by Governor Warfield to fill the Senate vacancy caused by the death of Arthur P. Gorman and served until his death.

2 ½ x 5 ½ fragment of an Autograph album page signed while US Senator, adds “Md” under signature; undated but ca. 1878”

Type: Signature