About

AUSTIN L. CROTHERS was born near Conowingo in Cecil County, Maryland on May 17, 1860. His education was attained at Nottingham Academy, and at the University of Maryland, where he earned a law degree in 1890. He was admitted to the bar in 1890 and practiced law in Elkton. Crothers entered public service in 1891, serving as the state’s attorney for Cecil County, a position he held for four years. He also served as a member of the Maryland State Senate from 1898 to 1901, and was an associate judge for the Second Judicial Circuit in 1906. Crothers secured the 1907 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and then went on to win election to the Maryland governorship on November 5, 1907. He was sworn into office on January 8, 1908. During his tenure, the Corrupt Practices Act was sanctioned; the Digges amendment and the Omnibus appropriation bill were both vetoed; a pure food law was enacted; the office of State Bank Commissioner was created; the license tax on automobiles was raised; and the State Roads Commission was initiated. After completing his term, Crothers left office on January 10, 1912 and retired from public service. Governor Austin L. Crothers passed away on May 25, 1912, and was buried at the West Nottingham Presbyterian Cemetery in Cecil County, Maryland.

Source

Eisenberg, Gerson G. Marylanders Who Served the Nation. Annapolis, MD: Maryland State Archives, 1992.

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

White, Frank F., Jr. The Governors of Maryland, 1777-1972. Annapolis, MD: Hall of Records Commission, 1970.

Maryland States Archives