MLK Library

LENNON, Alton Asa, a Senator and a Representative from North Carolina; born in Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., August 17, 1906; attended the public schools; graduated from Wake Forest College in 1929; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1929 and began practice in Wilmington, N.C.; served as judge, New Hanover County Recorder’s Court 1934-1942; member, State senate 1947-1951; appointed on July 10, 1953, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willis Smith and served from July 10, 1953, to November 28, 1954; was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination in 1954 to fill the vacancy; resumed law practice; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-fifth Congress; reelected to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1957-January 3, 1973); was not a candidate for reelection in 1972; was a resident of Wilmington, N.C., until his death there December 28, 1986; interment in Oakdale Cemetery.