Clarence Watson Meadows (February 11, 1904September 12, 1961) was the 22nd Governor of West Virginia from 1945 to 1949. He was the first governor of West Virginia to be born in the 20th century. Meadows was born and raised in Beckley. As a youth, he showed a passion for public speaking, and his parents attempted to direct him toward a career as a

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...

minister. However, Meadows was instead drawn toward the stage and, after receiving a degree from

Washington and Lee University , mottoeng = "Not Unmindful of the Future" , established = , type = Private liberal arts university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $2.092 billion (2021) , president = William C. Dudley , provost = Lena Hill , city = Lexingto ...

, he became active in his hometown's theater troupe. Meadows received a law degree from the

University of Alabama The University of Alabama (informally known as Alabama, UA, or Bama) is a Public university, public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest and la ...

in 1927 and subsequently entered into an active career in politics. In 1930, Meadows won in his first run for elective office, as he entered the West Virginia House of Delegates for a single term. He chose not to run for reelection, but instead successfully earned a position as Raleigh County District Attorney. In 1936, Meadows entered state politics, with the first of his two terms as West Virginia Attorney General. Because of his candor and honest disposition, Meadows became one of the most respected politicians in the state. In 1942, he accepted an appointment as a judge for the state's Tenth Judicial Circuit. Using a then-modern campaign that featured an array of radio appearances, Meadows was easily elected governor in 1944. As governor, his priorities included ameliorating labor strife in the coal industry, increasing access to quality education, and improving transportation to the geographically isolated state. At the conclusion of his term, Meadows returned to his law practice. In 1957, he retired to Florida and assisted Democrats in his new state with campaigning. He died in 1961 while visiting relatives in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

External links

Biography of Clarence W. MeadowsClarence Watson Meadows
* (subscription required for online access) 1904 births 1961 deaths Democratic Party governors of West Virginia Lawyers from Beckley, West Virginia Baptists from West Virginia West Virginia Attorneys General Democratic Party members of the West Virginia House of Delegates 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century American politicians 20th-century Baptists Politicians from Beckley, West Virginia {{WestVirginia-politician-stub