John S. Battle
John Stewart Battle (July 11, 1890 – April 9, 1972) was an American lawyer and politician who served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly and as the 56th Governor of Virginia (from 1950 to 1954).
For other people named John Battle, see John Battle (disambiguation).
John S. Battle
Edward O. McCue Jr.
April 9, 1972 (aged 81)
Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Monticello Memorial Park, Charlottesville, Virginia
Janie Lipscombe
2
Lawyer, politician
Private
Early and family life[edit]
Battle was born in 1890 in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina to Rev. Henry Battle and his wife. His paternal grandfather, Alabama lawyer and former Confederate General Cullen Battle, moved to North Carolina when John was a boy and became a newspaper editor as well the mayor of New Bern. He also lectured concerning his wartime experiences and the Lost Cause at various locations in North Carolina and Virginia. General Battle moved in with his son's family after his wife died. Rev. Battle moved his family several times during John's childhood, including to Petersburg, Virginia. After graduating from high school, John Battle traveled to Asheville, North Carolina and earned an associate's degree from Mars Hill College (then a junior college). He then earned a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University (then a college) and a law degree from the University of Virginia.
Death and legacy[edit]
Battle died in 1972, at the age of 81, and was buried in Monticello Memorial Park in Charlottesville.
His two sons became lawyers and continued their father's public involvement: William C. Battle, (1920–2008) became United States Ambassador to Australia and president of the United States Golf Association, as well as the Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia in 1969. John S. Battle, Jr. (1919–1997) became a Founding Trustee of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Free Expression, as well as served two terms on the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia (1982–1990).
John S. Battle High School in Washington County, Virginia, built in 1959, bears his name. Battle Hall at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is also named for the former governor.
Election[edit]
1949; Battle was elected Governor of Virginia with 70.43% of the vote, defeating Republican Walter Johnson and Social Democrat Clark T. Robb.