Richard R. Kenney

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = Richard R. Kenney
honorific-suffix =


imagesize =
small

office = U. S. Senator from Delaware
term_start = January 19 1897
term_end = March 3 1901
predecessor = Anthony Higgins [This seat had been vacant since March 4 1895.]
successor = J. Frank Allee [This seat was vacant until March 2 1903.]
birth_date = birth date|1856|9|9|mf=y
birth_place = Laurel, Delaware
death_date = death date and age|1931|8|14|1856|9|9
death_place = Dover, Delaware
spouse =
party = Democratic
residence = Dover, Delaware
alma_mater = Hobart College
occupation =
profession = lawyer
religion = Episcopalian

Richard Rolland Kenney (September 9 1856 – August 14 1931) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who was a U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Kenney was born September 9 1856 in Laurel, Delaware. He attended public schools and Laurel Academy, and graduated in 1878 from Hobart College in Geneva, New York, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. Subsequently, he studied the law, was admitted to the Bar in 1881, and began a practice in Dover, Delaware.

Professional career

Kenney was the State Librarian from 1879 until 1881. He was also Captain in the National Guard from 1880 until 1889, and Adjutant General of the state from 1887 until 1891. In 1896 he became a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Kenney was elected to the U.S. Senate on January 19 1897. He filled the vacancy in the term commencing March 4 1895, caused by the on-going Addick's controversy. During this term, he served with the Democratic minority in the 54th, 55th, and 56th Congress. The Democrats were unable to secure his reelection in 1901, and the seat became vacant again. In all, he served from January 19 1897 until March 4 1901, during the administration of U.S. President William McKinley.

Following his term, Kenney resumed the practice of law in Dover. Later, during the World War I, he served in the Judge Advocate General’s Department. In 1921 he was elected counsel to the Delaware House of Representatives, elected prosecuting attorney by the levy court of Kent County, and appointed a member of the State board of supplies. He was also member and secretary of the State public lands commission from 1913 until 1929.

Death and legacy

Kenney died August 14 1931 in Dover, Delaware and is buried in churchyard of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover.

Public offices

U.S. Senators were elected by the Delaware General Assembly for a term of six years and took office March 4th.