Claude Augustus Swanson was born 31 March 1862 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He attended public schools and Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. Swanson graduated from Randolph-Macon College in 1885 and from the University of Virginia law school in 1886. Admitted to the bar in 1886, he commenced practicing in Pittsylvania County. Swanson was elected to Congress and served from 1893 to 1906. He resigned to serve as Governor of Virginia, holding that office from 1906 to 1910. In August 1910, Swanson was appointed Senator of Virginia to fill out an expired term and was subsequently reappointed then relected, serving as senator until 1933. In 1933, Swanson was appointed Secretary of the Navy under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) and held that position until his death 7 July 1939 in Madison County, Virginia. Swanson was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Deane Lyons (d. 1920) 11 December 1894 and her sister Lulie Lyons Hall October 1923, but had no children by either wife.
From the guide to the Executive Papers of Governor Claude A. Swanson, 1902-1913 (bulk 1906-1909), (The Library of Virginia)
