George Ainslie (October 10, 1868 – July 18, 1931) was the mayor of

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

, from 1912 until 1924. He was of

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ancestry, all of which had been in Virginia since the 17th century.

Education

Ainslie received a B.S. at

Virginia Military Institute la, Consilio et Animis (on seal) , mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal) , established = , type = Public senior military college , accreditation = SACS , endowment = $696.8 mill ...

in 1890 and an L.L.B. at the

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a Public university#United States, public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the university is ranked among the top academic institutions in the United S ...

in 1893.

Mayor of Richmond

During Ainslie's administration, annexation nearly doubled Richmond's size. As a result of this expansion, Ainslie pursued an ambitious program of public improvements, including completion of a new waterworks and creation of a fully motorized fire department. He also advocated amendments to the Richmond city charter that in 1919 strengthened the power of the mayor's office. The Richmond newspapers often featured photographs of Ainslie greeting visiting dignitaries, including Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1921) and former British prime minister

David Lloyd George David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, (17 January 1863 – 26 March 1945) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922. He was a Liberal Party politician from Wales, known for leading the United Kingdom during t ...

(1923). Ainslie lost the April 1924 primary to his ultimate successor,

John Fulmer Bright John Fulmer Bright (November 17, 1877 – December 29, 1953) was an American politician and physician. Bright received an M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia in 1898. He sat in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the city of Rich ...

, after Bright accused Ainslie of being a big spender who had placed the city in debt by borrowing money for public improvements. After leaving office, Ainslie worked as an insurance agent. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

References

* ''Richmond Times-Dispatch'', July 18–19, 1931. * John T. Kneebone et al., eds., ''

Dictionary of Virginia Biography The ''Dictionary of Virginia Biography'' (''DVB'') is a multivolume biographical reference work published by the Library of Virginia that covers aspects of Virginia's history and culture since 1607. The work was intended to run for a projected fou ...

'' (1998- ), 1:46-48. * Christopher Silver, ''Twentieth-Century Richmond: Planning, Politics, and Race'' (1984). Mayors of Richmond, Virginia 1868 births 1931 deaths Virginia Military Institute alumni American people of English descent University of Virginia School of Law alumni Burials at Hollywood Cemetery (Richmond, Virginia) {{Virginia-mayor-stub