Lewis Archer McMurran, Jr.

Who was Lewis Archer McMurran, Jr.?

Lewis Archer McMurran, Jr. was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1948 until 1977. He represented the City of Newport News, Virginia including representing Warwick County, Virginia before it was consolidated into the City of Newport News.

He was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 11, 1914. He attended Washington and Lee University.

He served in the United States Navy Reserve in World War II rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He was a Democrat. He was member of the Virginia Delegation to the 1948 Democratic National Convention. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1948. He served until 1977. His committee assignments included Federal Relations, Chesapeake and Its Tributaries, Counties Cities and Towns, and Roads and Internal Navigation.

Through his work in the Virginia General Assembly, he was instrumental in the founding of Christopher Newport University in 1960 as a two-year branch of the College of William and Mary. In 1964 the first building built for Christopher Newport University was constructed on the site of the current campus.

In 1981 the College of William and Mary awarded Lewis A. McMurran, Jr. an honorary degree.