- Blair Lee, III
Infobox Governor
name = Blair Lee, III
birth_date = birth date|1916|05|19
birth_place = Silver Spring,Maryland , U.S.
death_date = Death date and age|1985|10|25|1916|05|19
death_place= Silver Spring,Maryland , U.S.
order=2nd
title=Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
term_start=January 1971
term_end=January 17 ,1979
predecessor1=Office reinstatedChristopher C. Cox in 1868
successor1=Samuel W. Bogley
title2=ActingGovernor of Maryland
term_start2=June 4 ,1977
term_end2=January 16 ,1979
predecessor2=Marvin Mandel
successor2=Marvin Mandel
profession=Statesman Blair Lee, III (
May 19 ,1916 –October 25 ,1985 ) was an American Democraticpolitician . He served as theSecretary of State of Maryland from 1969 to 1971, and was the actingGovernor of Maryland from 1977 to 1979, in place ofMarvin Mandel .Early life, family and career
Lee was born in
Silver Spring, Maryland , the son ofE. Brooke Lee and Elizabeth S. Wilson. He was a member of theLee family , a majorpolitical family in American history. He was grandson of the first popularly-electedMaryland U.S. Senator,Blair Lee I ; direct descendant of two signers of theDeclaration of Independence ,Richard Henry Lee andFrancis Lightfoot Lee ; and alsoFrancis Preston Blair andMontgomery Blair . His father,E. Brooke Lee , was a major figure in Maryland politics.cite news
last =Pearson
first =Richard
coauthors =
title =Blair Lee, III, Former Acting Governor Of Maryland and Noted Politician, Dies
pages =G9
language =English
publisher ="The Washington Post "
date =1985-10-27
accessdate = 2007-05-20]Lee majored in
American history atPrinceton University , where he graduated with abachelor's degree in 1938.Maryland Manual 1971-1972 (Annapolis: The Hall of Records Commission, 1972), 10-11. & Archives of Maryland Biographical Series] His thesis, "The Free Soil Movement in the 1840s", was based on correspondences between his ancestors and Presidents, cabinet members, and others from his family's private collection.cite news
last =Spolar
first =Chris
coauthors =
title =A Service for a Son of History
pages =C1
language =English
publisher ="The Washington Post "
date =1985-10-30
accessdate = 2007-05-20] After spending time studying law, the start ofWorld War II in 1941 resulted in Lee joining theUnited States Navy Reserve . He spent the War working on supply ships in theAtlantic Ocean . It was also during the War, onJuly 6 ,1944 , that he married Mathilde Boal with whom he would have eight children. [cite web
title = Index to Politicians: Lee, A to B
publisher =Political Graveyard
url =http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/lee1.html
accessdate =2007-05-20] After four years of service, Lee was discharged with the rank oflieutenant commander in 1945.After the War, Lee began work as a newspaper journalist. He worked as an editor for his father's newspaper, the "Maryland News", and also served as President of the Maryland Press Association and Silver Spring Board of Trade in 1949. Lee also pursued environmental interests in government, serving as Vice Chairman and Park Commissioner of the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) until 1951, and Executive Officer of theNational Capital Planning Commission from 1951 to 1954.Maryland political career
Lee entered politics shortly after the end of the Second World War, serving as delegate to the
Democratic National Convention in 1948, and later in 1960 and 1964. He was elected to theMaryland House of Delegates in 1954, and served until 1962, when he made an unsuccessful bid for theUnited States Senate . In the House, Lee served as chairman of theMontgomery County, Maryland delegation, and was chosen in 1958 by the Maryland Legislative Correspondents Association as "Legislator of the Year" for his efforts in resolving a crisis that emerged between theMaryland General Assembly and the Maryland State Teacher's Association.In Presidential politics, Lee served as campaign manager for
John F. Kennedy 1960 Presidential bid in Montgomery County, and later in 1964 as regional coordinator for theLyndon B. Johnson campaign.In 1966, Lee entered the
Maryland State Senate , where he served on the Finance Committee as vice chairman and in the Legislative Council. He was chosenSecretary of State of Maryland by GovernorMarvin Mandel in 1971.Lieutenant Governor and Acting Governor
Following the amendment of the
Constitution of Maryland in 1970, the office ofLieutenant Governor of Maryland was created, and voters chose Lee to serve in that position. During his tenure as Lt. Governor, Lee served on various committees and commissions established by the Governor. Also as Lt. Governor, Lee helped prepare the budget, determine policy actions, and served as chairman of the Governor's Cabinet, as well as Governor's Chief of Staff.The most notable moment of Lee's career occurred when Governor Mandel designated Lee as Acting Governor of Maryland, effective with a letter dated
June 4 ,1977 , per Article 2, Section 6b, of the Maryland Constitution of 1867. Mandel's decision was the result of astroke , as well as federalpolitical corruption charges that were linked to some $200,000 in gifts received. Lee continued to serve as Acting Governor until Mandel rescinded his letter onJanuary 15 ,1979 , though Mandel briefly reinstated Lee as acting governor the next day so he would be able to preside over the appointment of a judge to theMaryland Court of Appeals .Even with the added boost of serving as acting governor, Lee was not able to overcome the severe damage the Mandel Administration had taken as a result of the corruption trial. He unexpectedly lost his attempt for re-election in the Democratic primary to
Harry R. Hughes , who would later win the general election and take over as Governor. Lee stated a few days after the loss that he was relieved of a burden, and that it was a "luxurious feeling" coming upon problems that he would not have to worry about. However, acquaintances and staff members commented that he seemed melancholic and deflated. Many of his staff shared the same feelings, since the loss was unexpected and most did not have any contingency plans.cite news
last =Weisskopf
first =Michael
coauthors =
title =Lee's Mood Deflated After Loss
pages =C1
language =English
publisher ="The Washington Post "
date =1978-10-05
accessdate = 2007-05-20]Later years and legacy
In 1980, Lee was appointed to the
University of Maryland, College Park Board of Regents, where he served until his death in 1986. After his death, commentators remarked that Lee was an able governor, but a modest politician who was not comfortable working crowds and did not adequately distance himself from the corruption of Mandel and Mandel's predecessor,Spiro Agnew . Lee was also damaged by family troubles, which included the suicide of one of his sons in 1973. Nevertheless, Lee was praised by the media for his eloquence, honesty, and capable administrative skills. He is buried inRock Creek Cemetery inWashington, D.C. References
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