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New Book Studies Alum Who Ran for President

By day, Garland Tucker, a member of W&L’s Class of 1969, is the president and CEO of Triangle Capital Corp., a specialty finance company in Raleigh, N.C. By night, however, he is the author of a new book, (Emerald Book Co.). He focuses on President Calvin Coolidge and his opponent, John W. Davis—who was a member of Washington and Lee’s Classes of 1892 (undergraduate) and 1895 (law).

Garland says, “My primary motivation in writing the book is the heartfelt conviction that Coolidge and Davis, especially Davis, have been undeservedly ignored by historians and consequently are unknown to most Americans.  It is particularly sad that W&L alumni know so little about John W. Davis.”

Taylor Sanders, professor of history, agrees: “Every W&L alum needs to know this story.”

To learn the result of the 1924 Mock Convention at W&L, check out pp. 85-87 of The High Tide of American Conservatism. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

If you know any W&L alumni who would be great profile subjects, tell us about them! Nominate them for a web profile.