Edward Bishop Dudley

Background

Edward Bishop Dudley was born on December 15, 1789 in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. His father, Christopher, was prominent in farming, business, and politics as other Dudleys had been for generations.

Education

Though his early education was defective, Onslow sent him to the House of Commons (1811, 1812), and the state Senate (1814) where he displayed interest in military affairs.

Career

During the War of 1812 Dudley went to Wilmington second in command of the Onslow regiment, and there settled.

The young officer was soon in the House of Commons from Wilmington and manifesting intelligent interest in navigation companies and state banking enterprises. When the state board of internal improvements was reorganized in 1824, he became one of its three members.

Early in 1824 he became the Jackson representative on the anti-Crawford electoral ticket which later cast the state’s vote for Jackson; and in late 1829 he became a Jacksonian congressman. His independent spirit, however, soon made him violently anti-Jackson. Fie was now ready for his big role.

Returning to the House of Commons from the Wilmington borough, he supported the West in its fight against the Democratic East for constitutional reform and, in turn, secured important legislation, notably for the building of the Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad with state aid.

The West elected him in August (though in November the state went for Van Buren), and two years later reelected him by a large majority.

The years of his governorship (1837 - 40) marked the beginning of “a new period of economic and social development”.

On the basis of an able report which he procured, he recommended a cautious beginning of state public schools.

Keenly sensitive to the economic backwardness of North Carolina —"our Rip Van Winkle”—and captivated by the possibilities in railroad development, he sought to commit the state to a vast scheme of internal improvements financed by a huge state bank; but the legislature would not then follow him.

He secured its charter, led in subscribing its capital, served as its president, saved it by his personal credit from bankruptcy, secured its first feeder (the Wilmington & Manchester), and mapped out extensions which, as the Atlantic Coast Line, it later followed “precisely”. He held no public office after 1840.

Wealthy and exceedingly hospitable—Webster found his Madeira excellent— he gave little attention to business after 1847.

The state at large and Wilmington in particular pronounced him among the foremost of benefactors.

Achievements

• Dudley's greatest achievement was the Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad, later (1855) the Wilmington & Weldon, the longest in the world for several years.

Politics

Dudley supported the West in its fight against the Democratic East for constitutional reform.

Personality

Dudley was big and handsome, genial and generous.

Connections

Dudley married Eliza Haywood, of the Raleigh banker-politician family, who eventually bore him five children.

Father:

Christopher Dudley

Wife:

Eliza Haywood

References

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005