Philip Andrew Traynor (May 31, 1874 – December 5, 1962) was an American dentist and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served two terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Traynor was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the public schools, Goldey Business College, in Wilmington, and 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 ...

at Newark. He graduated in 1895 from the dental department of the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...

at Philadelphia, and began the practice of dentistry in Wilmington.

Professional and political career

Traynor was a member of the Delaware board of dentistry from 1918 until 1943, serving as its chairman after 1922. He was also vice president and member of the board of trustees of Ferris Industrial School for Boys from 1938 until 1942. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1940, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative George S. Williams. He lost his bid for a second term in 1942 to Republican, Earle D. Willey, but in a 1944 rematch defeated Willey, and returned to the U.S. House. Finally, he lost his bid for a third term to Republican J. Caleb Boggs, a New Castle County lawyer, and war veteran. Traynor served in the Democratic majority in the 77th and 79th Congress. He was in office from January 3, 1941 until January 3, 1943, and again from January 3, 1945 until January 3, 1947, during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

Death and legacy

Traynor died at Wilmington, and is buried in the Cathedral Cemetery there.

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:Traynor, Philip A. 1874 births 1962 deaths Politicians from Wilmington, Delaware American dentists University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine alumni Goldey–Beacom College alumni Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware