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Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin (b. November 30, 1900 d. August 10, 1974), a member of the United States Republican Party, was the 53 Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1951 to 1959.

Personal Information

Theodore McKeldin was born in Baltimore, Maryland, attending Maryland public schools and later graduating from Baltimore City College. He furthered his education by earning his bachelor of law degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1925 and with some graduate work at Johns Hopkins University.

McKeldin married Honolulu Manzer on October 17, 1924. They had two children, Theodore, Jr. and Clara.

Political Career

McKeldin challenged the incumbent mayor of Baltimore Howard W. Jackson in the election of 1939, but was defeated. In the election of 1942, McKeldin again challenged an incumbent, but this time it was the governor of Maryland Herbert R. O'Conor. Again, McKeldin was defeated.

However, McKeldin persisted and was elected mayor of Baltimore in 1943. As mayor, he oversaw the construction of Friendship Airport (now known as the Baltimore-Washington International Airport). Baltimore saw hard times during this period following the Second World War, with the inner city decaying, ghettos forming, and racial prejudice still present in government policy-making. McKeldin again ran for Governor in 1946, challenging William Preston Lane, Jr., but was defeated yet again.

McKeldin remained persistant, however, and for the third time ran for governor in 1950. He was successful, defeating incumbent William Preston Lane, Jr. by the largest margin in state history up to that point. As governor, McKeldin endeavored to improve the state highway system, namely by establishing the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), the Washington, DC Beltway (I-95/495) and the John Hanson Highway (Route 50). He was a staunch supporter of the interstate cooperation, saying once: "I rode by train over several state borders. I carried no passports. No one asked me to identify myself. No one had the right to. This is America."

McKeldin retired in 1959 from the governership and returned to his law practice in Baltimore. In 1963, he returned to public service after again being elected as mayor of Baltimore, focusing on the urban renewal of the Baltimore Inner Harbor. McKeldin served his second term as mayor until 1967, and died on August 10, 1974.

Building dedications

• McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland College Park.
• Theodore McKeldin Gymnasium at Bowie State University.

Bibliography

Theodore R. McKeldin. December 09, 1998. Maryland State Archives. Oct 25, 2004.

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• 1900 births
• 1974 deaths
• People From Baltimore
• Governors of Maryland
• Mayors of Baltimore