Elbert N. Carvel

Elbert Nostrand "Bert" Carvel (February 9, 1910 – February 6, 2005) was an American businessman and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two non-consecutive terms as the Governor of Delaware.

Elbert Carvel
61st and 64th Governor of Delaware
In office January 17, 1961 – January 19, 1965
Lieutenant	Eugene Lammot
Preceded by	David Buckson
Succeeded by	Charles Terry
In office January 18, 1949 – January 20, 1953
Lieutenant	Alexis du Pont Bayard
Preceded by	Walter Bacon
Succeeded by	Caleb Boggs
12th Lieutenant Governor of Delaware
In office January 16, 1945 – January 18, 1949
Governor	Walter Bacon
Preceded by	Isaac MacCollum
Succeeded by	Alexis du Pont Bayard
Personal details
Born	Elbert Nostrand Carvel (1910-02-09)February 9, 1910 Shelter Island, New York, U.S.
Died	February 6, 2005(2005-02-06) (aged 94) Laurel, Delaware, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Occupation	Businessman

Early life and family

Carvel was born at Shelter Island, Long Island, New York, son of Arnold W. and Elizabeth Nostrand Carvel. Kent Island, Maryland was his childhood home. He married Ann Hall Valliant in 1932 and they had four children, Edwin, Elizabeth, Ann Hall and Barbara. They were members of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Laurel, Delaware.

Professional and political career

After moving to Laurel in 1936, he began his management of the Valliant Fertilizer Company, that would continue throughout his political career. In his first attempt at public office, Carvel was elected lieutenant governor in 1944, defeating Republican Clayton Bunting, Sr. He served one term from January 16, 1945, to January 18, 1949.

He appeared on the television show What's My Line? on November 13, 1960, as the nascent Governor-elect (second term) of Delaware where his "line" was "manufactures fertilizers."

Governor of Delaware

Carvel during his first term as governor.

Carvel was first elected Governor of Delaware in 1948, defeating Republican Hyland F. George and served one term from January 18, 1949, to January 20, 1953. He lost a bid for a second term in 1952 to U.S. Representative J. Caleb Boggs. Subsequently, he lost an election for U.S. Senate in 1958 to incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John J. Williams. However, he was elected to a second term as Governor of Delaware in 1960, defeating Republican John W. Rollins, a former lieutenant governor. Soon after this, on November 13, 1960, he appeared as a contestant on the TV game show What's My Line?. His line was that he manufactured fertilizer. This time he served from January 17, 1961, until January 19, 1965. Carvel lost a final bid for a U.S. Senate seat in 1964, again to incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John J. Williams.

As only the second Democrat elected governor in 48 years, he was also the first Democrat ever to win two terms. He was opposed to capital punishment and was an early and persistent leader for civil rights legislation in a still politically conservative Delaware. As Governor he led the successful effort to create a Delaware Supreme Court, the lack of which threatened Delaware's ability to handle corporate litigation, and thereby ended Delaware's status as the only state without such a court.

Among his other accomplishments during his tenures in office were the building of the first span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, developing numerous other roads and highways, establishing the Delaware Public Service Commission and initiating the Delaware State Development Department.

Death and legacy

Carvel died in Laurel, Delaware, three days before what would have been his 95th birthday and is buried at the Carvel Family Cemetery, Kent Island, Maryland.

Known as "Big Bert," Carvel stood 6' 6". He was known as a liberal Democrat from conservative "lower Delaware," and never hesitated to promote causes of importance to him regardless of their impact on his political career or his fertilizer business. The state office building at 820 North French Street, Wilmington is named for him, as is the University of Delaware Research and Education Center in Georgetown. The cafeteria in North Laurel Elementary School is named the "Carvel Room", after him.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor take office the third Tuesday of January and have four-year terms.

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate Majority	President pro tempore		House Majority	Speaker
1949–1950	115th		Democratic	Vera G. Davis		Republican	Harvey H. Lawson
1951–1952	116th		Democratic	Roy A. Cannon		Republican	Harvey H. Lawson
1961–1962	121st		Democratic	John B. Reilly		Democratic	Sherman W. Tribbitt
1963–1964	122nd		Democratic	Curtis W. Steen		Democratic	Sherman W. Tribbitt

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
Lt. Governor	Executive	Dover	January 16, 1945	January 18, 1949
Governor	Executive	Dover	January 18, 1949	January 20, 1953
Governor	Executive	Dover	January 17, 1961	January 19, 1965

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1944	Lt. Governor		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	44,524	51%		Clayton A. Bunting	Republican	42,595	49%
1948	Governor		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	75,339	54%		Hyland P. George	Republican	64,996	46%
1952	Governor		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	81,772	48%		J. Caleb Boggs	Republican	88,977	52%
1958	U.S. Senator		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	72,152	47%		John J. Williams	Republican	82,280	53%
1960	Governor		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	100,792	52%		John W. Rollins	Republican	94,043	48%
1964	U.S. Senator		Elbert N. Carvel	Democratic	96,850	48%		John J. Williams	Republican	103,782	52%

References

• Davis, Ned (2000). Charles L. Terry. Wilmington, Delaware: Delaware Heritage Press. LCCN 00133337. ISBN 0-924177-15-X.
• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2000). Honest John Williams. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press.
• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
• Martin, Roger (1997). Elbert N. Carvel. Wilmington, Delaware: Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-08-7.
• Sobel, Robert; J. Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.

Images

• Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery; Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• A film clip "Longines Chronoscope with Elbert N. Carvel (January 7, 1952)" is available for viewing at the Internet Archive
• Delaware's Governors
• University of Delaware Obituary