W. Kerr Scott
American politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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William Kerr Scott (April 17, 1896 – April 16, 1958) was an American politician from North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 62nd governor of North Carolina from 1949 until 1953, and a United States Senator from 1954 until 1958.
William Kerr Scott | |
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United States Senator from North Carolina | |
In office November 29, 1954 – April 16, 1958 | |
Preceded by | Alton Lennon |
Succeeded by | B. Everett Jordan |
62nd Governor of North Carolina | |
In office January 6, 1949 – January 8, 1953 | |
Lieutenant | Hoyt Patrick Taylor |
Preceded by | R. Gregg Cherry |
Succeeded by | William B. Umstead |
North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture | |
In office 1937–1948 | |
Governor | Clyde R. Hoey J. Melville Broughton R. Gregg Cherry |
Preceded by | William A. Graham Jr. |
Succeeded by | David S. Coltrane |
Personal details | |
Born | (1896-04-17)April 17, 1896 Haw River, North Carolina, U.S. |
Died | April 16, 1958(1958-04-16) (aged 61) Burlington, North Carolina, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Mary Elizabeth White |
Alma mater | North Carolina State University (BS) |
Profession | Agriculture |
A native of Alamance County, North Carolina, and a farmer by training, Scott was a lifelong advocate for agricultural issues and became known in his home state as "the Squire of Haw River." He was elected as the state's Commissioner of Agriculture, but resigned that post to run for governor in 1948. His followers, popularly known as "Branchhead Boys," fervently supported Scott in all his campaigns and remained a force in North Carolina politics for more than a decade following his death.