Robert Turnbull

Robert Turnbull (January 11, 1850 – January 22, 1920) was an American lawyer and politician aligned with the Democratic Party who served as the clerk of his native Brunswick County, Virginia, as well as state senator (1895-1899) and two terms as a Congressman from Virginia (1910 to 1913).

Early and family life

Born in Lawrenceville, the historic Brunswick County seat, to the former Elizabeth Harrison (1830-1864) and her lawyer husband Edward Randolph Turnbull (1822-1885). He was named for a lawyer uncle who lived with his family nearby, and another uncle, Charles Turnbull, also lived and farmed with his family nearby. His father owned 15 enslaved people in 1850, and 20 in 1860. The family included a younger brother Dr. Edward Randolph Turnbull (1856-1935) and at least four sisters who married: Mary M T Patterson (1851-1921), Annie H.T. Wheler (1858-1903), Sarah Jane T. Hardy-Claiborne (1861-1945) and Fannie T. May (1864-1947).

Turnbull received a private education appropriate to his class at Rock Spring Academy, and graduated from the law department of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1871.

Career

Admitted to the bar in 1871, Turnbull began his legal practice in Lawrenceville, and adjoining counties. He won election as clerk of Brunswick County, and served for a decade, from 1891 to 1910. During this period, Turnbull also won election to represent Brunswick and adjoining counties in the Senate of Virginia, and served from 1894 to 1898. Brunswick County voters also elected him as delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1902. Turnbull was also a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1896 and 1904.