Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for use without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

None.

Preferred Citation

Box/folder, Horace H. Edwards Papers, M 246, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the Department by Mrs. Mary Edwards in November 1987.

Processing Information

Collection processed in September 1987. Collection revised in December 1990 and January 1995.

Biographical/Historical Information

Born in 1902 in Isle of Wight, Mr. Edwards began his political career shortly after his graduation from the University of Richmond in 1926 with a degree in law. In 1928 he worked on the presidential campaign of Al Smith. When Smith was defeated, Edwards returned to the practice of law but remained active in politics. In 1933 he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and served three terms. Appointed city attorney in 1938, Edwards held the position for ten years, guiding the city's direct annexation suits against Henrico and Chesterfield counties. In this period, Edwards became an expect on annexation and taxation.

Edwards was elected mayor of Richmond in 1946 and served for two years, resigning to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in the 1949 primary. During his unsuccessful campaign, Edwards spoke of more and better schools and better pay for teachers. In 1954 he accepted the position of Richmond City Manager, a capacity in which he served for thirteen years. During his tenure, Richmond began several construction projects. Although Edwards later admitted that he ran his office often without a certain amount of diplomacy, he survived three attempts by the City Council factions to oust him and became one of the city's most durable and effective administrators.

Following his resignation as City Manager in 1967, Edwards was named as special counsel for the city in its annexation suit against Chesterfield County. He also continued his work with the National and Virginia Municipal Leagues and the law firm of Mays, Valentine, Davenport and Moore. Mr. Edwards suffered a stroke in 1985 and was hospitalized several times before his death on 27 January 1987.

Additional information on Mr. Edwards can be found in the Pinchbeck Series, Good Government Awards 1959 materials of the Richmond First Club Archives, M238.

Scope and Content Information

The collection includes correspondences, reports, files and published materials dating from 1941 through 1977. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1950s through the mid 1970s and focuses on Mr. Edwards activities with the National and Virginia Municipal Leagues, the City of Richmond, the annexation of Chesterfield County.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically within the series.

Series I--Personal Information and Legal Cases (1941-1977)

Series II--Holt Case (n.d., 1976)