Walter C. Flower

Who was Walter C. Flower?

Walter C. Flower was the 44th mayor of New Orleans.

Walter C. Flower was born on his father’s plantation in East Feliciana Parish, near Fort Hudson on August 6, 1850, the son of Richard P. Flower and Minerva A. Scott, a daughter of Dr. Scott who had an extensive plantation near Jackson, in the same Parish. His father was a well known planter who was also engaged in the cotton business in New Orleans. As a boy he received the rudiments of an education amid the refinement of his home circle on the plantation. Later he came to New Orleans where he continued his studies until the outbreak of the War between the States. His father’s plantation being in the center of the Federal operations, he moved with his family to Dr. Scott’s plantation where they remained until the end of the war. He then attended Pass Christian College from which he was graduated as valedictorian of his class.

Being equipped with a good education, he came to New Orleans and embarked on a journalistic career as reporter on the staff of the Daily Picayune. After a modest beginning in this field he determined to study law. To accomplish this he was obliged to study during his free time and also had to deprive himself of many luxuries in order to pay for his tuition at the Louisiana University which is now known as Tulane University. Again he became valedictorian of his class. He worked for a while as reporter on the New Orleans Times and later practiced law for a number of years.