William Pope Duval

Biography

William Pope Duval, born in Kentucky in 1784, studied law and served his state as a judge before being asked to help settle the affairs of distant lands. His integrity and calm manner won the trust of leaders who sent him south to guide a fledgling territory.

As the first governor of the Territory of Florida he helped design its civil institutions, disciplined the administration, and balanced the needs of settlers and native communities; he remained a respected counselor even after he left office in 1834 and passed from this life in 1854.