WILLIAM W. KITCHIN, the fifty-second governor of North Carolina, was born near Scotland Park, North Carolina on October 9, 1866. His education was attained at Vine Hill Academy, and at Wake Forest College, where he graduated in 1884. He went on to study law, and then established his legal career in Roxboro. Kitchin first entered politics as the chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee, a position he held in 1890. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1897 to 1909. Kitchin next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in the 1908 general election. During his tenure, funding for education was increased; an anti-trust bill was sanctioned; prohibition was promoted; and railway and road development was advanced. After completing his term, Kitchin retired from political life, and returned to his legal practice. Governor William W. Kitchin passed away on November 9, 1924, and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Scotland Neck, North Carolina.