Date of Birth: January 17, 1931
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Biography
Lawrence Douglas Wilder, born January 17, 1931, in Richmond, Virginia, is a prominent American politician and lawyer. He made history by becoming the first African American to be elected as governor of a U.S. state, serving as the 66th Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. His groundbreaking political career began in the Virginia State Senate in 1969, where he served until 1985. Wilder then served as the 35th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia before his gubernatorial tenure. After his term as governor, Wilder continued to shape Virginia politics by serving as the Mayor of Richmond from 2005 to 2009. His career is marked by his advocacy for civil rights, education reform, and economic development.
5 Interesting Facts about Douglas Wilder
1. Douglas Wilder was the grandson of slaves and named after poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
2. He won the governorship of Virginia by a narrow margin of less than half a percent.
3. Wilder holds a law degree from Howard University School of Law.
4. He established the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
5. Wilder was awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal in 1990 for his achievements in public service.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Douglas Wilder
1. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but there is such a thing as plenty of opportunity.”
2. “I don’t believe in quotas. America was founded on a philosophy of individual rights, not group rights.”
3. “The important thing is to take the best parts of the past and build on them to keep moving forward.”
4. “The people of Virginia have spoken, and their voices have been heard clearly.”
5. “We must strive for progress, not perfection.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Douglas Wilder is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Douglas Wilder has three children: Lynn, Lawrence, and Loren Wilder.
Relevant Links
1. [Douglas Wilder Biography – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Douglas-Wilder
2. [Douglas Wilder – National Governors Association](https://www.nga.org/governor/l-douglas-wilder/
3. [L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs – VCU](https://wilder.vcu.edu/
