Earle Dukes Willey (July 21, 1889 – March 17, 1950) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Willey was born in Greenwood, Delaware. He attended the public schools and was graduated from

Dickinson College , mottoeng = Freedom is made safe through character and learning , established = , type = Private liberal arts college , endowment = $645.5 million (2022) , president = J ...

in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1911. He also attended

The George Washington University Law School The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) is the law school of George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. Established in 1865, GW Law is the oldest top law school in the national capital. GW Law offers the largest range of cour ...

in Washington, D.C. and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1920.

Professional and political career

Beginning as the principal of Greenwood High School from 1911 until 1915; Willey became secretary to U.S. Representative

Thomas W. Miller Thomas Woodnutt Miller (June 26, 1886 – May 5, 1973) was an American politician serving as a Republican U.S. Representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the American Legi ...

in Washington, D.C. from 1915 until 1917 and State librarian from 1917 until 1921. Having been admitted to the Bar he was appointed deputy attorney general and prosecuting attorney for Kent County, Delaware from 1921 until 1931, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Kent County from 1931 until 1939, and Judge of the juvenile court of Kent and Sussex Counties from 1933 until 1939. Willey was Secretary of State from 1941 until 1943 and served as a trustee of the

University of Delaware The University of Delaware (colloquially UD or Delaware) is a public land-grant research university located in Newark, Delaware. UD is the largest university in Delaware. It offers three associate's programs, 148 bachelor's programs, 121 mas ...

, of the Elizabeth W. Murphy School for Orphan Children, and of the State College for Colored Students. Willey was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware in 1940, being defeated by Democrat Isaac J. MacCollum. Two years later, in 1942, Willey was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Democratic Representative Philip A. Traynor. He served in the Republican minority in the 78th Congress, and lost his bid for a second term in 1944 to his predecessor, Democrat, Philip A. Traynor. Willey served from January 3, 1943 until January 3, 1945, during the administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Following his term, he resumed the practice of law in Dover.

Death and legacy

Willey died at Dover, Delaware, and is buried in the St. Johnstown Cemetery, near Greenwood, Delaware.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term.

References

External links

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
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Places with more information

Delaware Historical Society The Delaware Historical Society began in 1864 as an effort to preserve documents from the Civil War. Since then, it has expanded into a statewide historical institution with several buildings, including Old Town Hall and the Delaware History Muse ...

website
505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161 *

Library website
181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
Newark Free Library
750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731-7550. {{DEFAULTSORT:Willey, Earle D. 1889 births 1950 deaths George Washington University Law School alumni People from Dover, Delaware Dickinson College alumni Delaware lawyers Burials in Sussex County, Delaware Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware 20th-century American politicians People from Greenwood, Delaware