Joseph Edward Willard

Joseph Edward Willard
Willard in 1913
19th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office 1902–1906
Preceded by	Edward Echols
Succeeded by	James Taylor Ellyson
Personal details
Born	May 1, 1865 Washington, D.C.
Died	April 4, 1924(1924-04-04) (aged 58) New York City
Spouse(s)	Belle Layton Wyatt Willard
Alma mater	Virginia Military Institute

Joseph Edward Willard (May 1, 1865 – April 4, 1924) was a U.S. political figure from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Biography

The son of Joseph Clapp Willard and Antonia Ford, he served for eight years in the Virginia House of Delegates, prior to his election as the 19th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He held that office from 1902 through 1906, leaving after an unsuccessful run for Governor. He then assumed the office of commissioner of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, serving for four years. In 1913, he was appointed by Woodrow Wilson as the United States Ambassador to Spain. Upon the outbreak of World War I Willard was vacationing in the United States and returned to Europe aboard the USS Tennessee. Willard left knowing that his daughter, Belle, who was married to Kermit Roosevelt, was sick with typhoid fever (she would recover). Ambassador Willard held his position until shortly before his death in 1924.

Sources

• Willard Family Papers, Library of Congress

Political offices
Preceded by Edward Echols	Lieutenant Governor of Virginia 1902–1906	Succeeded by James Taylor Ellyson
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Henry Clay Ide	United States Ambassador to Spain 1913–1921	Succeeded by Cyrus E. Woods