Burleson, Albert Sidney, 1863-1937

Burleson (1863-1937) graduated from the University of Texas Law Department in its first class (1884). As postmaster general he expanded parcel post and was responsible for the government takeover of telephone, telegraph, and cable during World War I and the initiation of air mail in 1918 at the end of the war.

From the description of Burleson, Albert Sidney, papers, 1841-1946. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 20659759

U.S. representative from Texas and U.S. postmaster general.

From the description of Papers, 1856-1947. (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library). WorldCat record id: 70926914

Congressman and United States Postmaster.

From the description of Albert Sidney Burleson papers, 1856-1947. (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library). WorldCat record id: 310355867

U.S. representative from Texas, postmaster general in Woodrow Wilson's cabinet, and Democratic Party leader.

From the description of Albert Sidney Burleson papers, 1845-1943 (bulk 1902-1943). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82466482

Albert Sidney Burleson was born in San Marcos, Texas, on 1863 June 7, the son of Edward Burleson, Jr. and Lucy Emma Kyle Burleson. He attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) and received a B.A. degree from Baylor University in 1881 and an LL.B. degree from the University of Texas in 1884.

After briefly practicing law, Burleson served as assistant city attorney of Austin, Texas (1885-1890), and in 1891 was appointed attorney of the Twenty-sixth Judicial District. A leader in the Democratic party, he represented Texas in the U.S. Congress (1899–1913) and served as Postmaster General in President Woodrow Wilson’s cabinet (1913-1921), the first native Texan to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Burleson retired from public life in 1921 and returned to Austin, where he engaged in banking, pursued agricultural interests, and raised livestock. He died there on 1937 November 24.

Adele Lubbock Steiner was born in Austin, Texas, on 1863 July 8, the daughter of Josephus Murray and Laura June Fisher Steiner. A noted author, playwright, and poet, she was the author of the plays The Congressman's Secretary and The Lobbyist and the books Every Politician and His Wife, The Gift I'd Ask, and Toughey, Childhood Adventures on a Texas Ranch . She died in Austin on 1948 January 8 and was buried with her husband in Oakwood Cemetery.

Albert Sidney Burleson and Adele Lubbock Steiner were married on 1889 December 22. The couple had five children: Laura Schley Burleson Negley (1890-1973), Steiner Burleson (1892-1899), Lucy Kyle Burleson Grimes (1894-1967), Adele Sidney Burleson Smith (1897-1995), and an infant son (1901-1901).

References

Connor, Seymour V. "Albert Sidney Burleson." Handbook of Texas Online . http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbu38 .

"Albert Sidney Burleson (1863-1937)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001110 .

"Albert S. Burleson (1913–1921): Postmaster General." American President, An Online Resource: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) . Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. http://millercenter.org/president/wilson/essays/cabinet/458 .

From the guide to the Albert Sidney and Adele Steiner Burleson Papers Doc 6883., 1856-1947, (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas)

Attorney, politician, and Postmaster General Albert Sidney Burleson (1863-1937) was born in San Marcos, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas Law Department in its first class in 1884. After practicing law and serving in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1899 to 1913, President Wilson appointed Burleson as Postmaster General. During his tenure from 1913 to 1921, he expanded parcel post and was responsible for the government takeover of telephone, telegraph, and cable during World War I as well as the initiation of airmail in 1918. Burleson was the first Texan to serve on a president's cabinet while launching the first official air mail in history.

Source:

“Burleson, Albert Sidney.” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 14, 2011. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001110.

From the guide to the Burleson (Albert Sidney) Papers 63-137; 65-135; 66-185; 72-085; 81-175; 82-053; 84-251; 87-299; 88-019; 89-076; 89-147; 98-142. 20659759., 1841-1946, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)

Biographical Note

• 1863, June 7: Born, San Marcos, Tex.
• 1881: Graduated, Baylor University, Waco, Tex.
• 1884: Graduated, law department, University of Texas, Austin, Tex. Admitted to the Texas bar
• 1885 - 1890 : Assistant city attorney, Austin, Tex.
• 1891 - 1898 : District attorney, twenty-sixth judicial circuit, Texas
• 1899 - 1913 : United States Congressman, Ninth and Tenth Districts of Texas
• 1913 - 1921 : Postmaster general
• 1918: Instituted air mail service, New York, N.Y., to Washington, D.C., using Army pilots
• 1918: Chairman, United States Telephone & Telegraph Administration
• 1920: Chairman, United States Commission to International Wire Communication Conference
• 1921: Retired from public life to pursue banking interests
• 1937, Nov. 24: Died, Austin, Tex.

From the guide to the Albert Sidney Burleson Papers, 1845-1943, (bulk 1902-1943), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)