Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Thomas Clarke Rye was born on June 2, 1863, in Benton County, Tennessee, to Wayne and Elizabeth Atchison Rye. He attended local schools and read law under Colonel Tom Morris. In 1884,when was admitted to the State bar and moved to Camden to open his law practice. Additionally, Rye served as circuit master for the Chancery Court and pension agent in Washington DC. In 1902, he moved his practice to Paris, Tennessee. He was elected as district attorney of the 13th Judicial District in 1910 and served until 1914, when he was elected governor. As governor, Rye led the state through World War I, seeing some 80,000 Tennesseans go to war. His administration was staunchly prohibitionist and saw the passage of the "Ouster Law" aimed at taking down political boss, E. H. "Boss" Crump in Memphis. Both Tennessee Polytechnic Institute and the State Highway Department were founded during his tenure. After opting not to run for a 3rd term, Rye sought a Senate seat but lost the election to the incumbent, John K. Shields. Following this defeat Rye returned to law and was appointed Chancellor of the 8th Judicial District, a position in which he remained for 20 years. Rye died on September 12, 1953, and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Paris.