| David Shelby Walker | |
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| In office December 20, 1865 – July 4, 1868 |
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| Preceded by | William Marvin |
| Succeeded by | Harrison Reed |
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| Born | May 2, 1815 Kentucky |
| Died | July 20, 1891 Tallahassee, Florida |
| Political party | Conservative Party |
| Spouse(s) | Philoclea Alson Walker |
David Shelby Walker (May 2, 1815 – July 20, 1891) was the eighth governor of Florida.
Walker was born near Russelville in Logan County, Kentucky. He attended private schools in Kentucky and Tennessee and studied law. He moved to Florida in 1837, settling in Leon County. He was elected to the first session of the Florida State Legislature in 1845, serving Wakula and Leon Counties as Senator. In 1848, he was elected by Leon County to the Florida House of Representatives.
He served from 1849 to 1854 as the Register of Public Lands and was ex oficio State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He advocated and promoted interest in public schools. His efforts resulted in the creation of public schools in Tallahassee. He served as Mayor of Tallahassee. In 1860, he became a Florida Supreme Court Justice, but resigned to run to become Governor.
He had been a Whig and was a Constitutional Unionist and so had opposed Florida's secession. However, when the decision was passed to leave the Union, he supported his state. After the war, he was appointed governor on December 20, 1865 by President Andrew Johnson. His term in office was occupied with the job of restoring the state government, while being occupied by U.S. Army. After leaving the governor's office on July 4, 1868, he returned to practicing law. In 1878, he was appointed circuit court judge, a position he held until his death on July 20, 1891.
See also
Sources
- Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida
- Morris, Allen and Joan Perry Morris, compilers. The Florida Handbook 2007-2008 31st Biennial Edition. Page 310. Peninsula Publishing. Tallahassee. 2007. ISBN 978-0-9765846-1-2 Softcover ISBN 978-0-9765846-2-9 Hardcover
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| Preceded by William Marvin |
Governor of Florida December 20, 1865 – July 4, 1868 |
Succeeded by Harrison Reed |
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