Ritchie, Albert C. (Albert Cabell), 1876-1936

Four-term governor of Maryland and lawyer.

From the description of Papers of Albert Cabell Ritchie, 1903-1939. (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19540649

Governor of Maryland.

From the description of Typed letter signed : Annapolis, Md., to Mrs. Robert M. Littlejohn, 1932 Jan. 14. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270858104

Albert Cabell Ritchie was born in Richmond, Virginia, on August 29, 1876. He received his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University in 1896 and his L.L.B. from the University of Maryland Law School in 1898.

In 1898 Ritchie began law practice with Steele, Semmes, Carey and Bond of Baltimore and was admitted to the firm in 1900. From 1903 to 1920 he was a partner in the Ritchie and Janney law firm in Baltimore. During this period, Ritchie served in number of government and education positions. Ritchie's work as assistant city solicitor of Baltimore in 1903 led to the writing of Municipal Condemnation in Maryland (1904). From 1907 to 1919 Ritchie was professor of law at the University of Maryland. Additional positions included: assistant general counsel to the Maryland Public Service Commission (1910-1913), Attorney General of Maryland (1915 - 1918), and general counsel to the War Industries Board (June-December 1918).

In 1919 Ritchie was elected Governor of Maryland. He became the first Maryland governor to succeed himself in 1923 and was again re-elected in 1926 and 1930. Having risen to prominence in the Democratic Party, Ritchie made and unsuccessful bid for the 1932 Presidential nomination and reportedly declined the party's Vice-Presidential nomination. In 1934 he ran for a fifth term as Governor but was defeated.

On February 24, 1936, Ritchie died in Baltimore. He is buried there in Greenmount Cemetery.

From the guide to the Albert Ritchie papers, 1903-1939, null, (State of Maryland and Historical Collections)