Thomas L. Bailey

Thomas Lowry Bailey (January 6, 1888 – November 2, 1946) was an American politician from the state of Mississippi.

Thomas L. Bailey
48th Governor of Mississippi
In office January 18, 1944 – November 2, 1946
Lieutenant	Fielding L. Wright
Preceded by	Dennis Murphree
Succeeded by	Fielding L. Wright
52nd Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office 1924–1936
Preceded by	Mike Conner
Succeeded by	Horace Stansel
Personal details
Born	(1888-01-06)January 6, 1888 near Maben, Mississippi
Died	November 2, 1946(1946-11-02) (aged 58) Jackson, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Nellah Massey
Profession	Lawyer

He was born in Webster County, Mississippi and graduated from Millsaps College. Bailey was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Democratic candidate in 1915 and served from 1916 to 1940. During his time in the legislature, Bailey supported benefits for seniors while also co-authoring a homestead exemption law.^[1] According to one observer, Bailey “had a reputation in the legislature as supporting progressive reforms for whites.”^[2] He unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1939 but was elected in 1943.

According to one study, Bailey “basically agreed with Governor Johnson's philosophy of government,” and during his tenure presided over numerous initiatives in areas such as social welfare, education, and rural life.^[3] Bailey helped in the development of roads and ways to help farmers sell their products. A four-year medical school at the University of Mississippi was also initiated.

Bailey was also (according to one source) “the leader of the pro-New Deal Democrats.”^[4]

He died of a stroke in Mississippi Governor's Mansion in 1946 aged 58, in Jackson during his term as governor. He was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Fielding L. Wright.